Taylor Jenkins Dismissed as Memphis Grizzlies Face Critical Juncture
The Memphis Grizzlies parted ways with Taylor Jenkins, their most successful head coach, on Friday as the team struggled in the final stretch of the season, risking the loss of home-court advantage in the playoffs. ESPN’s Shams Charania reported that Jenkins was summoned to the Grizzlies’ office Friday morning, where he was informed of his dismissal. The organization felt Jenkins had lost the locker room throughout the season and believed that making a change might improve their season finish.
“I’m truly grateful for Taylor’s contributions to this team and our city over the last six years,” said Grizzlies general manager Zach Kleiman in a statement. “This was a tough call, considering the constant and real progress of our players and the overall success under Taylor’s guidance. I wish him all the best in the future.” Lead assistant Tuomas Iisalo will step in as interim head coach, according to Charania. Iisalo, a former Finnish professional player and coach, led Paris Basketball to victory in the EuroCup during the 2023-24 season and earned the title of coach of the year.
The Grizzlies nearly completely revamped their coaching staff last offseason, retention only Jenkins, Patrick St. Andrews, and Anthony Carter from the 2023-24 squad. With the addition of six new coaches, Memphis transformed its playing style under Iisalo and Noah LaRoche, focusing on a fast-paced game and spacing strategies inspired by other sports like soccer and hockey. This revamped motion offense all but removed traditional NBA techniques like pick-and-rolls and dribble handoffs. LaRoche joined as head of player development following a summer collaborating with various NBA players in a consultative role, sources told ESPN. It remains uncertain if LaRoche will stay on the coaching team.
Jenkins, 40, began coaching the Grizzlies in the 2019-20 season, the same year Ja Morant was honored as Rookie of the Year. During Jenkins’ tenure, the Grizzlies made the playoffs three times with one series victory. Jenkins’ departure makes him the third coach to leave a team midseason after achieving at least 40 wins that year. Memphis has lost four of their last five games, afflicted by Morant’s hamstring strain, and their 8-11 record since the All-Star break ranks 21st in the league for that period. The Grizzlies will face the Los Angeles Lakers on Saturday, with both teams having a 44-29 record. This marks the start of a challenging series where eight of Memphis’s final nine games are against playoff or play-in contenders. Mathematically, Memphis could still reclaim the No. 2 spot in the West, and it is highly unlikely they will fall to the play-in range.
Earlier this season, Jenkins surpassed Lionel Hollins as the winningest coach in Grizzlies history, leaving with a record of 250-214 (.539) after coaching the most games in franchise history. Memphis rebounded this season from a rough 27-55 record in 2023-24, marred by Morant’s 73-game absence due to injury and suspension. The new playing system displayed promising early signs and continued to develop as the Grizzlies worked to establish a concrete offensive identity before the playoffs. However, defensively, Memphis faltered post-All-Star break, falling to 20th in defensive efficiency after holding the seventh spot in the first half of the season, based on ESPN Research findings.
Most of the team’s success this season has been against losing teams. Against 13 other teams currently over .500, the Grizzlies stand at 11-20, trailing in scoring by 77 points. Conversely, they boast a 33-9 record, outscoring opponents by 462 points, against the 16 teams at .500 or worse. Jenkins signed a multiyear contract extension in June 2022, having previously served as an assistant coach with the Atlanta Hawks (2013-18) and Milwaukee Bucks (2018-19). He was the fifth-longest tenured current coach in the league, behind NBA title winners Gregg Popovich of San Antonio, Erik Spoelstra of Miami, Steve Kerr of Golden State, and Michael Malone of Denver.