Grizzlies Fire Coach Jenkins Amid Struggles, Promote Iisalo as Interim

MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Memphis Grizzlies General Manager Zach Kleiman announced the firing of head coach Taylor Jenkins on Friday, citing team performance as the primary factor in the decision. Jenkins, who held the position for nearly six seasons, had a record of 250-214 (.539) and 44-29 this season, leaving the team fifth in the Western Conference with just nine games left in the regular season.

“I came to the conclusion that this is in the best interest of the team, and urgency is a core principle of ours, so I decided to make this move,” Kleiman said Saturday. This marked Kleiman’s first public comments following the sudden dismissal during the team’s shootaround.

Despite Jenkins’ winning record, the Grizzlies had lost four of their last five games, averaging a loss margin of 16.8 points. Over the past 20 games, the team struggled significantly with an 8-12 record, which contributed to the decision to change leadership.

“The players were not consulted on this decision,” Kleiman clarified. “This decision is mine and mine only.” He acknowledged that although Jenkins leaves the team in a better place than when he started, he would not elaborate on the reasoning for the timing of the firing, stating, “I gave this real thought and came to the conclusion that this is in the best interest of our team going forward.”

Tuomas Iisalo, who was recently named the 2024 EuroCup Coach of the Year for his work with Paris Basketball, has been appointed as the Grizzlies’ interim head coach. Iisalo’s first game in charge resulted in a 134-127 loss against the Los Angeles Lakers. With the team facing transitional challenges, Iisalo emphasized the need for focus amid noise surrounding the coaching change.

“There’s clearly noise now around the team, which can be a destabilizing factor for the whole group,” Iisalo said. “We just talked about controlling the controllables. Our focus should be on performing our jobs effectively one day at a time.”

Kleiman expressed cautious optimism regarding Iisalo’s potential impact on the team. “Looking forward to seeing what he is able to do with this group,” Kleiman mentioned, while setting realistic expectations considering the limited time left in the season. He indicated a desire for clarity in direction moving forward.

The Grizzlies will play their next game in high-pressure circumstances, as the postseason approaches. When asked if the remainder of the season would serve as an audition for Iisalo, Kleiman deflected, focusing instead on the upcoming matchup against the Lakers.