ST. GEORGE — Utah Tech University head men’s basketball coach Jon Judkins has agreed to a five-year contract extension that will keep the longtime Trailblazer mentor on the Burns Arena sidelines through the 2026-27 season.
“This is a red-letter day for Utah Tech University and Trailblazer Athletics,” UT Director of Intercollegiate Athletics Ken Beazer said. “Ensuring the winningest coach in Utah collegiate basketball history will remain at the helm of our men’s basketball program is a huge win for our student-athletes and the community.”
In his 17 seasons in St. George, Judkins has led the program to a 306-164 (.651) overall record, including a 286-152 (.653) mark in the university’s NCAA era.
While at Utah Tech (previously Dixie State), Judkins’ teams have won seven conference championships (6 PacWest/1 RMAC) and made nine NCAA Division II Basketball Tournament appearances, including a Sweet 16 run during the 2010-11 campaign.
Last season Judkins reached two career milestones. He became the all-time winningest head coach in Utah collegiate basketball history with career victory No. 583 in UT’s 114-49 home rout of SAGU-American Indian College Dec. 15.
Judkins moved past legendary Utah head women’s basketball coach Elaine Elliott atop the state’s all-time coaching victories list (men’s and women’s).
Then three days later he collected his 300th career win at Utah Tech in a 78-69 road triumph at North Dakota.
Judkins led the Trailblazer program to 12-straight winning seasons from 2008-20. That run included seven 20-win campaigns, highlighted by a pair of NCAA-era, school-record 23-win seasons in 2017-18 and again in 2019-20.
“I am grateful for the opportunity that Utah Tech University has given to me over the past 18 years,” said Judkins. “My wife Lanette and I love St. George, our University, our fans and the state of Utah. We will continue to work very hard in the future to have our basketball program reflect the greatness of this University.
“I thank Ken Beazer and President [Richard B.] Williams for their faith and commitment to our coaching staff and basketball program. The future of men’s basketball is bright and I am excited to be a part of it.”
During his time at Utah Tech, Judkins has coached 44 all-conference selections, including 19 first-team honorees and two conference players of the year.
In addition, he has had seven players collect all-region recognition, and two players – Zach Robbins and Trevor Hill – go on to earn All-America honors.
Meanwhile, in the classroom, Judkins has had a combined 120 student-athletes earn academic all-conference recognition since 2009-10, with three of those student-athletes – Josh Fuller, Brandon Simister and Hunter Schofield- garner CoSIDA Academic All-America honors.
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