New University of Toledo men's basketball assistant Mike Wells is leaving the program to join the coaching staff of the Utah Jazz.

Wells, who spent last season as an assistant at South Florida but has 17 years of NBA experience, was hired by Toledo in April.

"I couldn't be happier for Mike Wells," Toledo coach Tod Kowalczyk said. "He's one of the best guys I've been around. He had a chance to return to the NBA, and I'm really happy for him."

In Wells' place, Toledo has hired former Owens Community College star and current St. Bonaventure assistant Jeff Massey, The Blade has learned.

A native of Elkhart, Ind., Massey was honored as the nation's junior college player of the year at Owens in 1992 and 1993 before finishing his career at Xavier. He spent the past seven seasons at St. Bonaventure.

First Published June 17, 2014, 4:00 a.m.