The Memphis Grizzlies announced on Saturday that they have fired head coach David Joerger after three seasons with the team. The team's general manager Chris Wallace revealed that he made the final call on this decision, stating "being an NBA head coach is about more than just coaching a 48-minute game."
Reports are circling that their were plenty of disagreements between Joerger and the front office, but Wallace said "I don't want to get into specifics, but our goal now is to identify the best candidate for our organization." Reports are saying the team did not believe that Joerger was fully invested in the team, and they did not appreciate his jabs at the front office during interviews.
The coach himself felt he had no support from the front office, feelings that began when he interviewed for the Timberwolves' head coaching position two years ago. All of these rumors come from Grizzlies inside reporters.
The team reportedly entered the season with plans of keeping the coach since his contract ran through next season. Doubts arose at the trade deadline when they traded away the likes of Jeff Green and Courtney Lee.
The team felt as if Joerger was growing more distant, which led to the final decision being made Saturday. That feeling came from the coach getting permission to talk to other teams about head coaching vacancies.
Joerger made the playoffs all three years with the team, including this past season where they were swept by the Spurs. They finished the season with a tough 3-14 stretch, which dropped them to the No. 7 seed with a 42-40 record. Losing the likes of Marc Gasol and Mike Conley to injuries, plus trading away key players, is what derailed the Grizzlies' season.
This was Joerger's first head coaching job in the NBA, and he finished with a record of 147-99, which is good for a Grizzlies' franchise-best .598 winning percentage. His ability to win, despite all of the controversy with the front office, is what makes him so attractive as a coaching free agent.
The now former Grizzlies coach is at the top of the Kings' list of potential replacements at that position. The two sides are set to meet face-to-face on Sunday.
Reports are circling that their were plenty of disagreements between Joerger and the front office, but Wallace said "I don't want to get into specifics, but our goal now is to identify the best candidate for our organization." Reports are saying the team did not believe that Joerger was fully invested in the team, and they did not appreciate his jabs at the front office during interviews.
The coach himself felt he had no support from the front office, feelings that began when he interviewed for the Timberwolves' head coaching position two years ago. All of these rumors come from Grizzlies inside reporters.
The team reportedly entered the season with plans of keeping the coach since his contract ran through next season. Doubts arose at the trade deadline when they traded away the likes of Jeff Green and Courtney Lee.
The team felt as if Joerger was growing more distant, which led to the final decision being made Saturday. That feeling came from the coach getting permission to talk to other teams about head coaching vacancies.
Joerger made the playoffs all three years with the team, including this past season where they were swept by the Spurs. They finished the season with a tough 3-14 stretch, which dropped them to the No. 7 seed with a 42-40 record. Losing the likes of Marc Gasol and Mike Conley to injuries, plus trading away key players, is what derailed the Grizzlies' season.
This was Joerger's first head coaching job in the NBA, and he finished with a record of 147-99, which is good for a Grizzlies' franchise-best .598 winning percentage. His ability to win, despite all of the controversy with the front office, is what makes him so attractive as a coaching free agent.
The now former Grizzlies coach is at the top of the Kings' list of potential replacements at that position. The two sides are set to meet face-to-face on Sunday.
