It looks like the Memphis Grizzlies are going to start their effort to replace their unexpectedly fired coach by talking to an unexpectedly fired coach.
The Grizzlies front office will talk to several candidates to replace David Joerger, starting with reaching out to recently deposed Pacers’ coach Frank Vogel, reports Adrian Wojnarowski of The Vertical at Yahoo Sports.The Memphis Grizzlies have begun making contact with several head-coaching candidates, as well as the representatives of Frank Vogel, league sources told The Vertical...
Memphis has started reaching out to teams to obtain permission to interview candidates, and league sources told The Vertical that part of the franchise’s working list of coaches includes former Phoenix Suns coach Jeff Hornacek, San Antonio assistant Ettore Messina, Charlotte Hornets associate head coach Patrick Ewing, Portland assistant Nate Tibbets and Miami Heat assistant David Fizdale, league sources said.
Vogel will have options, he needs to decide if he wants to jump back in, and if so where. He can afford to wait if he wants. But he also would be a good fit in Memphis, with his defense-first mindset fitting with the grit and grind style of the Grizzlies.
Beyond Vogel, that’s a strong list of potential candidates. My question: Are any of them clear upgrades over Joerger? If a team is going to let a good coach go the front office needs to have an upgrade in the wings. Are any of these guys, including Vogel, really an upgrade?
Joerger is nearing taking over as the coach of the Sacramento Kings.