SLC Stars Name Rick Higgins Head Coach

SALT LAKE CITY (June 17, 2025) — The Salt Lake City Stars, the official NBA G League affiliate of the Utah Jazz, announced today they have finalized an agreement for Rick Higgins to become the team’s new head coach. Higgins, an assistant coach with the Utah Jazz since 2023, becomes the Stars’ sixth head coach since the team relocated to Salt Lake City in 2016.

Higgins, 38, joins the Stars after two seasons on Jazz Head Coach Will Hardy’s staff. Before his time in Utah, the Danville, Calif., native spent three seasons (2020–23) as an assistant coach with the Houston Rockets, helping guide the development of young talent, including Jalen Green. In the summer of 2022, Higgins served as the Rockets’ head coach at the Las Vegas Summer League, working closely with first-round picks Jabari Smith Jr., Tari Eason, and TyTy Washington Jr.

He began his coaching career with the Charlotte Hornets as a video coordinator (2013–18) before moving into an assistant coaching role with the Orlando Magic in 2018. Prior to coaching, Higgins played two collegiate seasons at Cal Poly (2006–08) before transferring to the University of Colorado.

“Rick’s extensive NBA experience, particularly in player development, has shaped his ability to both challenge and support players,” said Stars General Manager Katie Benzan. “He’s learned from some of the best in the league, including Will Hardy, and brings that knowledge into this next step as head coach. Rick has a great balance of accountability and humor that resonates with players, and I’m confident he’ll lead the Stars with the same energy and purpose that’s driven his career so far.”

“I’m looking forward to taking on this opportunity to lead the Stars and continuing within the Jazz organization,” said Higgins. “The Stars play a critical role in the development structure of the Jazz and I plan to continue to build on the team’s successes, preparing players for the next level.”

Higgins succeeds Steve Wojciechowski, who led the Stars to consecutive playoff appearances over the past two seasons before joining Hardy’s staff this summer.