The Memphis Grizzlies are staying in house to fill their coaching vacancy.
Assistant coach Dave Joerger will take over the top job, ESPN.com and the Memphis Commercial Appeal reported early Tuesday morning.
He’ll replace his former boss, Lionel Hollins, who wasn’t offered a contract for next season after he led Memphis to the Western Conference finals.
Other candidates who reportedly were on the Grizzlies’ radar included Chicago Bulls assistant coach Ed Pinckney, former Denver Nuggets coach George Karl, former Phoenix Suns coach Alvin Gentry, and Indiana Pacers associate head coach Brian Shaw, who reportedly was hired as the Nuggets’ new coach on Monday.
Joerger, 39, paid his dues in the lower levels of pro basketball, coaching teams to five titles during his time in the International Basketball Association, the Continental Basketball Association and the NBA Development League.
The past six years, he’s been on the Grizzlies’ bench, helping the team to the most successful season in franchise history in 2012-13. Joerger had an integral part of forging the defense that has been a Grizzlies hallmark.