The Memphis Grizzlies are expected to make Miami assistant David Fizdale the team's next head coach after the two sides work out a contract, according to The Vertical's Adrian Wojnarowski.
Grizzlies expected to hire David Fizdale as team’s next head coach, per report
Memphis is ready to hire the Miami assistant to replace Dave Joerger.
Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports
Frank Vogel was an early candidate for the Grizzlies job, but after he went to Orlando, Memphis quickly locked onto Fizdale as a candidate. Fizdale, 41, started as a video room coordinator for the Heat in 1997-98 and has bounced around the league as an assistant coach ever since, most recently spending five years with the Heat as Erik Spoelstra's lead assistant.
Fizdale will take over a Grizzlies team coming off a disappointing, injury-riddled season that ended in a first-round sweep to the Spurs. His first big decision will be convincing Mike Conley, a free agent, to stick around with the team. With Marc Gasol coming back from a foot injury, the Grizzlies still have a couple pieces in place to play for a Western Conference playoff spot.
The Grizzlies' coaching job came open when Dave Joerger was released from his contract and took over for the Sacramento Kings. It was the second time that Joerger had requested to interview for other positions, and his blunt style had rubbed many in the front office the wrong way.
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