The Memphis Grizzlies have dismissed Taylor Jenkins, their head coach with the most wins in franchise history. This decision comes as the team has been struggling recently and facing the possibility of losing home-court advantage in the playoffs.
Sources indicate that Jenkins was informed of his termination in a meeting Friday morning. The organization reportedly felt that Jenkins had lost control of the team`s dynamic as the season progressed and believed that a coaching change was necessary to improve their playoff performance.
Grizzlies General Manager Zach Kleiman expressed his gratitude for Jenkins` contributions over the past six years. He acknowledged Jenkins` role in the development of players and the team`s overall success, but stated that this was a difficult decision. Kleiman wished Jenkins well in his future endeavors.
Tuomas Iisalo, previously the lead assistant coach, will step in as the interim head coach. Iisalo, a former professional player and coach from Finland, led Paris Basketball to a EuroCup victory and was named coach of the year in 2023-24.
During the last offseason, the Grizzlies significantly restructured their coaching staff, retaining only Jenkins and two other assistants from the previous season. The addition of six new assistants brought changes to the team`s playing style, emphasizing a faster pace and spacing strategies inspired by sports like soccer and hockey. This new offensive approach minimized traditional NBA plays like pick-and-rolls.
Sources also revealed that assistants Patrick St. Andrews and Noah LaRoche were also relieved of their duties on Friday.
Jenkins, aged 40, had been coaching the Grizzlies since the 2019-20 season, coinciding with Ja Morant`s Rookie of the Year award. Under Jenkins, the Grizzlies reached the playoffs three times, securing one playoff series win.
Memphis has experienced losses in four of their last five games. They have a less impressive 8-11 record since the All-Star break. Despite this, they are still aiming to solidify their position for the playoffs.
Earlier in the season, Jenkins surpassed Lionel Hollins to become the coach with the most wins in Grizzlies history. His final record with the team stands at 250-214, and he also holds the record for the most games coached in franchise history.
After a challenging 2023-24 season, where Morant`s absence significantly impacted the team, Memphis showed signs of improvement this season. The new system initially showed promise but faced defensive challenges, particularly after the All-Star break.
A significant portion of the Grizzlies` success this season has been against teams with losing records. They have struggled against teams with winning records.
Jenkins had signed a contract extension with the Grizzlies in June 2022. Before joining Memphis, he served as an assistant coach with the Atlanta Hawks and Milwaukee Bucks. He was among the longest-tenured coaches in the league, alongside notable coaches who have won NBA championships.
