Grizzlies make it official with Joerger
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The Memphis Grizzlies made it official on Thursday and named David Joerger their new head coach.
Terms of the deal for the long-time Grizzlies assistant were not disclosed.
Joerger had been an assistant with the Grizzlies for the past six seasons, including the last two as the lead assistant for Lionel Hollins.
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"We are thrilled to announce we have hired David Joerger as the next head coach of the Memphis Grizzlies," said CEO & managing partner Jason Levien in a statement Thursday. "Not only do we think Dave will continue to grow the team's league-best defensive identity, but we believe we have one of the league's budding coaching talents to lead our team."
Hollins was not retained despite a banner season for the Grizzlies, who won a franchise-record 56 games in 2012-13 and reached the Western Conference finals for the first time in club history.
Joerger's influence on the defensive side of the ball was a main reason for Memphis' success this season.
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The Grizzlies surrendered a league-low 89.3 points per game and had three starters among the NBA's All-Defensive Teams. Tony Allen was a first-team member, while Mike Conley and the league's Defensive Player of the Year, Marc Gasol, were selected for the second team.
Before joining the Grizzlies, Joerger was a top minor league coach, amassing a record of 232-117. He led the Dakota Wizards to four titles -- one in the International Basketball Association, two in the Continental Basketball Association and one in the NBA Development League. He also guided Sioux Falls to a CBA crown.