UNBELIEVABLE: The Memphis Grizzlies have appointed Tuomas Iisalo as their permanent head coach,.after parting ways with Taylor Jenkins. Iisalo, a Finnish native, brings international coaching experience, having led Paris Basketball to the 2024 EuroCup title and being named EuroCup Coach of the Year. As the Grizzlies’ new permanent head coach, Iisalo faces a challenging task in maintaining the team’s …
A level of shock still lingers around the league about the Memphis Grizzlies’ surprising decision to move on from Taylor Jenkins.
With two weeks left into the 2024-25 regular season and them being in contention situation as the current No. 5 seed (44-31) in the Western Conference, the Memphis Grizzlies franchise pulled a stunner, dismissing their longtime head coach in his position from last week.
Taylor Jenkins established his case as the winningest coach in the Grizzlies’ record books, leading Memphis to six seasons, three playoff appearances, and a franchise-record 56 wins in 2021-22.
After all the ride they had with Jenkins through the years, Ja Morant and the rest of the Grizzlies stars couldn’t hide their astonishment about the 40-year-old’s departure.
Memphis top executive Zach Kleiman spoke out about the move with utmost belief that this serves the best interest of the franchise long-term.
Tuomas Iisalo set for a major chance to become the next Memphis Grizzlies HC
In the wake of Jenkins’ exit, Tuomas Iisalo ascended as the new play-caller in charge of leading the Grizzlies for the remainder of the season.
Serving on an interim basis, the Finnish mentor is undoubtedly facing a major challenge of getting Memphis back on track and be in position to compete as the NBA Playoffs looms.
Iisalo inherits a Grizzlies team that has been stumbling lately. After making his interim head coaching debut last weekend against the Los Angeles Lakers, Memphis already lost five of its last six games.
They have struggled since the All-Star break with an 8-12 card.
Should the Grizzlies attain success under his leadership, there is a significant chance for Iisalo to get promoted as the team’s next full-time head coach per Marc Stein and Jake Fischer.
“Grizz personnel, league sources say, spent significant time traveling to France last season to evaluate and ultimately land Tuomas Iisalo, who was enjoying great success as the head coach for Paris Basketball under former Timberwolves lead executive David Kahn before his move to the NBA,” the two league insiders wrote.
“It’s believed that Iisalo will have a shot to succeed Jenkins permanently depending on how this sudden opportunity to take over goes.”
Under the guidance of Iisalo, the Grizzlies are ready to compete
The man behind the Grizzlies’ offense, Iisalo now has full control of how the entire squad will operate on a nightly basis. He is a newbie in the NBA coaching field as he spent most of his young coaching career in Europe, and he has a golden break in front of him to finally present himself as an elite basketball mind.
With star power at his side with Morant, Jaren Jackson Jr., and Desmond Bane as well as a deep supporting cast headlined by Santi Aldama, Iisalo has some tools to work with on the Grizzlies. He has already spoken out to express how much he likes Zach Edey.
Memphis has tough bouts ahead of them in the final eight games of their regular season, facing eight contending teams via Tankathon.
