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The Milkman is back.

Tyrone Corbin, who was given that Mailman-like nickname by teammates after doing a "milk mustache" commercial during his career with the Jazz, is returning to the team as an assistant coach.

Jazz vice president of basketball operations Kevin O'Connor announced Thursday that the 41-year-old Corbin has been hired to replace Kenny Natt, who resigned last month to take a job with the Cleveland Cavaliers.

Corbin is the first addition to head coach Jerry Sloan's staff since Natt was hired on Oct. 1, 1996.

"I'm really excited about coming back to Utah and being part of the coaching staff," Corbin said. "It's a great opportunity for me . . . to be part of something special."

Corbin spent nearly three full seasons with the Jazz (1992-94). He helped Utah reached its first two Western Conference finals.

"My three years in Utah were very special," said Corbin, who mostly remembers "the camaraderie on the team and the love the fans had for the Jazz."

Corbin played colleiatelyge ball at DePaul. San Antonio selected him in the second round of the 1985 NBA draft. During a career that spanned 16 years, he played for nine NBA teams.

Since his retirement, Corbin has spent two seasons working with the Charleston (S.C.) Lowgators of the National Basketball Developmental League and one season as the manager of player development for the New York Knicks.

Sloan is "excited" by the addition of Corbin to a staff that already includes Phil Johnson and Gordon Chiesa.

"We had tremendous respect for him as a player," said Sloan, who called Corbin "an upbeat guy."

Corbin played 233 regular-season games in Utah and averaged 6.9 points and 6.2 rebounds and 28.2 minutes.

Off the court, Corbin earned the team's most famous nickname - except for Karl Malone's Mailman - after appearing in a TV commercial for the Utah Dairy Farmers. The ad showed Corbin drinking from a glass and ending up with a milk mustache over his lip.

Today, virtually the same universally-used commercial features some of the biggest names in sports and entertainment.

The Jazz acquired Corbin on Nov. 25, 1991 in a trade with Minnesota. They gave up Thurl Bailey and a second-round draft pick. Corbin spent three seasons in Utah, when the Jazz compiled an overall record of 155-91.

On Sept. 16, 1994, Corbin's stint in Utah ended. Along with a second-round draft pick, the 6-foot-6 swingman was traded to Atlanta for 6-9 forward Adam Keefe.

Corbin will be in Utah on Wednesday for an introductory press conference.