David Joerger becomes Memphis Grizzlies' lead assistant coach, gets 2-year deal
David Joerger excelled last season as the Grizzlies’ defensive coordinator, and now he’s stopped the exodus on head coach Lionel Hollins’ staff.
Joerger agreed Friday to a two-year deal that includes a significant increase in pay and a promotion to lead assistant.
Joerger is entering his fifth year with the Grizzlies and assumes the position vacated by Johnny Davis, who left earlier this month to become the lead assistant with the Toronto Raptors.
Hollins praised Joerger’s contributions while lamenting the break in continuity on his staff. Assistant coach Damon Stoudamire also left to join the University of Memphis men’s basketball coaching staff.
Joerger had a cursory interview for an assistant job with the Houston Rockets earlier this month. But the Rockets instead added Kelvin Sampson, J.B. Bickerstaff, Chris Finch and Brett Gunning to new coach Kevin McHale’s staff.
“I’m happy for (Joerger). He was instrumental in us being successful. Keeping him gives me a little peace of mind,” Hollins said. “It’s really disappointing that we lost two guys because in any endeavor you want continuity. You want to have trust in who your coaches are and what they are about. And that takes time to develop. When you’re changing coaches on a regular basis you never really get that. It’s hard to find coaches who know how to be followers but are leaders.
“Johnny Davis was important to us and nobody really knows how valuable Damon Stoudamire was to us. He had a very good connection with all the players. His relationship was unique and one I couldn’t have with the players. There were a lot of fires he could put out.”
Assistants Henry Bibby and Barry Hecker are also expected to re-sign with pay raises and more responsibility.
Joerger arrived with former head coach Marc Iavaroni in 2007. He implemented Hollins’ defensive principles while Davis was responsible for the offense and helped guide in-game adjustments.
Memphis made significant strides defensively last season with the addition of guard Tony Allen and a stronger commitment to team-oriented schemes. The Grizzlies led the NBA in steals (9.4) and forced turnovers (16.5), and were second in points off turnovers (19.4). Memphis ranked seventh in blocked shots (5.4).
Joerger quickly became one of Hollins’ most trusted assistants because of his basketball acumen. Joerger coached the Griz in Hollins and Davis’ absence on Nov. 5 at Phoenix. Hollins and Davis attended the funeral of former Portland teammate Maurice Lucas that day when the Griz lost 123-118 in double overtime.
Joerger worked as a championship head coach in the minor leagues before joining the Griz. He served as head coach of the 2006-07 NBA D-League champion Dakota Wizards. The title was the fifth he won as a head coach, including one International Basketball Association title and three Continental Basketball Association championships.
Hollins said he hopes to replace Davis and Stoudamire.
“I need to bring in a grunt worker and a player development guy,” Hollins said. “Player development is very important in this new NBA.”
