The Memphis Grizzlies officially introduced former assistant Dave Joerger as their new head coach. The Grizzlies are coming off their most successful season in franchise history winning 56 games, but decided to part ways with former head coach Lionel Hollins.
Joerger has a history of successful head coaching tenures with minor league teams and was Hollins' top assistant during the past two years. He has served as an assistant within the Grizzlies organization the past six seasons.
"I am ready for this opportunity," Joerger said at a news conference. "I have won in the past. I know how to win. We're going to win."
Memphis reached the Western Conference finals for the first time in team history this season, but were unceremoniously swept by the San Antonio Spurs. Rather than re-sign Hollins to a long-term deal, the new ownership group led by Robert Pera decided to look elsewhere.
Hollins went 196-155 during his time with Memphis, beginning in January 2009 when he took over the team as an interim head coach.
The terms of the agreement reached between the Grizzlies and Joerger were not released, however, the Commercial Appeal newspaper in Memphis reported that Joerger signed for four-years and a beginning salary of around $1.5 million.
"This is a blue-collar town, and I'm a blue-collar guy," Joerger said. "I came up the hard way. I came up through the minor leagues."
Joerger is credited with the major turnaround to the Grizzlies "grit-n-grind" defense. Memphis ranked second in the NBA in defensive efficiency and allowed a league-low 89.3 points per game and have improved their ranking each year since Joerger was given defensive duties.
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