The Memphis Grizzlies fired coach Dave Joerger last week (he has since joined on with the Sacramento Kings) and are in the market for a new head coach. As of now, there are a handful of viable candidates available, and Memphis has already begun doing its due diligence.
The Grizzlies, coming off a 42-40 season and their sixth straight post-season appearance, are hardly in a long-term rebuilding phase. This is a solid team that can compete on any given night. But Memphis isn't close to winning a championship, and its core is either aging (Zach Randolph is 34, Marc Gasol is 31) or able to leave in free agency this offseason (Mike Conley). It will be interesting to see who Memphis tabs to handle such a challenge.
On Monday night, Grizzlies General Manager Chris Wallace was reportedly seen having dinner with Lionel Hollins at a local restaurant. Hollins served as Memphis' head coach from 2009 to 2013 and was an assistant coach from 2002 to 2007. He enjoyed three winning seasons and one Western Conference Finals appearance during his time as head coach. Most recently, he served as head coach for the Brooklyn Nets from 2014 to January of this year.
However, despite Hollins' familiarity with the organization and experience, it is Frank Vogel who may be emerging as the top candidate. Vogel's contract was not renewed by the Indiana Pacers after five winning seasons and playoff berths in six years as head coach. He is rumored to be the frontrunner due to his relationship with Wallace. The two have known one another since their time working for the Boston Celtics. Vogel has a career winning percentage of .580 as a coach and is largely viewed as the most attractive option on the market.
Other possible candidates Memphis may consider include Jeff Hornaeck (former Phoenix Suns coach), David Blatt (former Cleveland Cavaliers coach), Ettore Messina (San Antonio assistant), David Fizdale (Miami Heat assistant) and Patrick Ewing (Hornets associate head coach).
If Vogel is indeed at the top of Memphis' wish list, the Grizzlies will likely have to compete with the New York Knicks and Houston Rockets for his services.
Follow Brandon Katz at @Great_Katzby
