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Memphis Grizzlies offer David Fizdale head-coaching job
Miami Heat assistant coach David Fizdale has been offered the head-coaching job with the Memphis Grizzlies, and the sides are working on a contract, league sources told ESPN's Chris Broussard, confirming a report from The Vertical.
Sources had told ESPN on Tuesday that Fizdale's candidacy for the position was gaining steam after a strong first interview with Grizzlies general manager Chris Wallace. That led to an additional interview with Grizzlies owner Robert Pera.
Memphis has been looking to replace Dave Joerger, who was fired earlier this month after three seasons.
The Grizzlies' search initially targeted former Indiana Pacers coach Frank Vogel, but he ultimately took the Orlando Magic job.
ESPN.com then reported last week that Fizdale had emerged as a co-finalist for the Grizzlies position along with San Antonio Spurs assistant coach James Borrego.
Fizdale has 13 years of assistant-coaching experience with the Heat, Atlanta Hawks and Golden State Warriors that includes two NBA championships with Miami. A Los Angeles native and former University of San Diego guard, he is involved in player development and assisting Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra in all areas of game preparation.
While he has never been an NBA head coach, Fizdale served as head coach of the Heat's summer league teams in 2010 and '12.
Guard Mario Chalmers, who played for Fizdale with the Heat before being traded to Memphis last November, tweeted his approval of the move.
The Grizzlies have the NBA's third-longest streak of making the playoffs, at six straight seasons, behind only San Antonio at 19 and Atlanta at 9.
Sources had told ESPN on Tuesday that Fizdale's candidacy for the position was gaining steam after a strong first interview with Grizzlies general manager Chris Wallace. That led to an additional interview with Grizzlies owner Robert Pera.
Memphis has been looking to replace Dave Joerger, who was fired earlier this month after three seasons.
The Grizzlies' search initially targeted former Indiana Pacers coach Frank Vogel, but he ultimately took the Orlando Magic job.
ESPN.com then reported last week that Fizdale had emerged as a co-finalist for the Grizzlies position along with San Antonio Spurs assistant coach James Borrego.
Fizdale has 13 years of assistant-coaching experience with the Heat, Atlanta Hawks and Golden State Warriors that includes two NBA championships with Miami. A Los Angeles native and former University of San Diego guard, he is involved in player development and assisting Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra in all areas of game preparation.
While he has never been an NBA head coach, Fizdale served as head coach of the Heat's summer league teams in 2010 and '12.
Guard Mario Chalmers, who played for Fizdale with the Heat before being traded to Memphis last November, tweeted his approval of the move.
The Grizzlies have the NBA's third-longest streak of making the playoffs, at six straight seasons, behind only San Antonio at 19 and Atlanta at 9.