Former CBA Coach Gets NBA Head Coaching Job

The Memphis Grizzlies have reached an agreement in principle to elevate assistant Dave Joerger to become head coach, sources involved in the negotiations said Monday.

Joerger, who has spent the past six seasons on the Grizzlies' bench, will succeed his former boss, Lionel Hollins. Hollins compiled a 196-155 record after taking over for Marc Iavaroni midway through the 2008-09 season.

The 39-year-old Joerger emerged as a favorite for the position after Grizzlies management granted Hollins permission to seek other coaching opportunities. Before turning to their longtime assistant, the Grizzlies formally interviewed former Phoenix Suns head coach Alvin Gentry and Chicago Bulls assistant Ed Pinckney for the post, and also entertained the idea of bringing on high-profile names such as former Denver Nuggets head coach George Karl.

Prior to the 2010-11 season, Joerger was tasked by Hollins to oversee the Grizzlies' defense, which was ranked 25th in efficiency in 2009-10. In the three seasons under Joerger's direction, the defense has improved from ninth overall in 2010-11, to seventh in 2011-12, then ranked second in the NBA during the Grizzlies' historic 2012-13 season.

Before arriving in Memphis, Joerger coached in the International Basketball Association, the Continental Basketball Association and the D-League, where he won five titles in seven seasons as a head coach.  He was a regular in Yakima when he coached the Dakota Wizards which competed against the now defunct Yakima Sun Kings.