The Memphis Grizzlies did not have to look far or long for their new head coach as Kevin Arnovitz of ESPN reports that assistant coach Dave Joerger will be filling the vacancy left by former head coach Lionel Hollins.
Joerger has served as an assistant coach for the Grizzlies for six seasons, joining the franchise in 2007 after serving as head coach for the Dakota Wizards in the NBA's D-League the previous season. Joerger compiled two Coach of the Year awards and five championships over the course of a minor league coaching career that spanned the IBA, USBL, CBA and D-League.
The Grizzlies decided to part ways with Hollins on June 10 when the franchise decided to decline their option to renew his contract following a series of negotiations. This led the team to allow Hollins to speak with other NBA teams about their coaching vacancies despite his contract not actually ending until June 30 -- though Hollins has yet to receive any other offers.
Hollins was at the helm for three straight seasons of Memphis' playoff appearances, compiling a 196-155 record with the Grizzlies, including an 18-17 postseason record to go with this year's appearance in the Western Conference Finals.
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