The announcement
Jorge Sanz, who has served as an assistant coach at Gonzaga since 2018, confirmed his exit in a social‑media post on Thursday morning. His departure marks the first reshuffle of the Bulldogs' staff since the program brought in Zach Norvell and Rjay Barsh ahead of the 2023‑24 season.
Sanz had been promoted from Director of Basketball Operations to assistant coach in 2023, a move that underscored his growing influence within the program. He will leave a gap in both the coaching lineup and the analytical framework that has become central to Gonzaga's strategy.
A multifaceted role
Beyond the bench, Sanz was the architect of Gonzaga's international recruiting pipeline, a function that helped secure commitments from players such as Saint‑Supery, Izan Almansa, Nathan de Sousa and Juwan Ekanga‑Ehawa. His work in Spain, including a recent stint as an assistant at a national training camp, reinforced the Bulldogs' long‑standing focus on global talent.
Sanz also brought a strong analytical background to the role, contributing to the team's embrace of advanced statistics and performance metrics. Prior to Gonzaga, he spent eight seasons at Florida Atlantic, where he honed his coaching skills and helped develop several future professionals.
Who could fill the void?
The administration is reportedly eyeing internal candidates to replace Sanz. General Manager Kurt Bambauer and graduate assistant Que Johnson are both considered viable options, each offering a blend of operational expertise and familiarity with the program's culture.
Head coach Mark Few, who has guided Gonzaga for more than two decades, has long relied on a blend of domestic excellence and overseas scouting. Sanz's exit is part of a broader transition that may reshape how the Bulldogs approach both recruitment and analytics moving forward.