:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/48854177/usa-today-8493308.0.jpg)
Utah Jazz president Randy Rigby is planning on stepping down by the end of the 2015-2016 season, according to a report from ABC4 Utah's Wesley Ruff.
Changes coming in the Jazz front office. Looks like Randy Rigby will be retiring at the end of the season. One of the really good guys.
— Wesley Ruff (@wesleygood4utah) February 17, 2016
So, obviously, the Jazz should go on a run and win the title this year.
Rigby has been the Utah Jazz president since 1986, so he saw this team built up around John Stockton and Karl Malone, helped them build a championship contender, and led the team through two rebuilds after that. Before joining the Jazz, Rigby had been a Senior Vice President for the Sports and Entertainment wing of the LHM Group of companies.
I don't know if this version of the Jazz are going to self-populate so much (Dennis Lindsey was an outsider, so was Quin Snyder, and it could be argued that Steven Starks was as well. Starks is the current President of the Sports properties of the LHM Group.) But if they were, Basketball John is ahead of the curve here:
Which exec replaces Randy Rigby? https://t.co/SsJBqHN30l
— Kris (@5kl) February 17, 2016
Personally, I have not been crazy with what I have seen Rigby do. And I've only really seen him in press conferences. But that's the thing. I don't know what he does because he does so much for the group and the team over the years that goes without notice. Everyone who has worked with him or knows him has nothing but the most gracious things to say. Even higher-ups in other branches of the LHM Group laud his performance and his personal demeanor. It's going to be hard to see yet another member of the old Utah Jazz guard retire. But no one can live forever, something us fans had to learn the hard way when Larry H. Miller passed away.
I hope Randy does stay somewhat involved with what's going on with the Jazz. It's hard to recover when someone so instrumental leaves. We truly are sailing into uncharted waters with this team. I wish Randy all the best if this report is true. If he is retiring at the end of this season he will no doubt do it with his signature style and grace.
Personally, I would have him stay. But then again, I'm nothing but comfortable with how things are going right now.