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Jim Elgas has been working as a coach and administrator in college basketball the past 15 seasons.
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June 30, 2006
SALT LAKE CITY - Jimmy Elgas, who recently spent six seasons at Kansas State and has been working on the college basketball scene since 1991, has been named director of basketball operations at the University of Utah. The announcement was made today by Ute head coach Ray Giacoletti.
Elgas joined the Wildcat staff as the director of basketball operations in 2000 and was promoted to assistant coach in 2002. Elgas coached and recruited eight all-Big 12 Conference selections, as well as the 2004 Big 12 Newcomer of the Year. He also helped sign three consecutive top 25 recruiting classes (2002, `03, `04). The Wildcats' 2003 newcomers were ranked No. 1 in the country by Hoop Scoop magazine, and included three players rated in the top 100 by Bob Gibbons and one Parade All-American. In 2006, Elgas stepped in as Kansas State's interim head coach for two games (Feb. 8 and 15), posting a 1-1 record with a win over Iowa State.
Elgas graduated from Illinois State in 1993 and spent two seasons as a student assistant coach with the Redbirds (1991-93). Giacoletti was an assistant coach with Illinois State at that time, with ISU winning Missouri Valley Conference titles in 1992 and '93.
After working as an assistant coach at Lincoln College (Ill.) from 1993-95, Elgas was an assistant at Texas State from 1995-2000. The Bobcats won the Southland Conference title in 1997 and '99, and earned an NCAA Tournament bid in '97. Texas State was also ranked as the third-best defensive team in the NCAA in 1999.
Elgas, 34, is married to the former Tamara Grier. The couple are the parents of a daughter, Kyla (3).
"We're excited to add Jim Elgas to our staff," said Giacoletti. "Jimmy and I have a relationship that goes back 15 years. I've watched his career grow over the years, and he's a guy who has worked hard to get to this point. I think he'll be an excellent addition to our staff, and will help us keep moving in a positive direction."
"I'm tremendously excited to be a part of the program here at the University of Utah," said Elgas. "My respect and close friendship with Coach Giacoletti make this an exciting move for me and my family. There's no question that this program is headed in the right direction with much success to come in the near future, and I'm excited to be a part of that."
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