Who's The Greatest Coach In Memphis Grizzlies History?

In this series, we’ll take a look at the illustrious list of head coaches in each NBA franchise’s history. To make a case for ‘greatest coach,’ we’ll look at win-loss record, player development, and (most importantly) team accomplishments under that coach’s tutelage.

Historically, the Memphis Grizzlies have embraced the identity of gritty workhorses who thrive in a highly physical environment.

After a sluggish first decade (in which they came into existence as the Vancouver Grizzlies), this franchise began to make waves in the playoffs. The Pau Gasol era would transition into the “Grit and Grind” years when Pau’s younger brother Marc showcased his two-way play alongside Zach Randolph, Tony Allen, and Mike Conley Jr.

Another decade would pass, and the Grizzlies were still staking their claim as smashmouth operators. This time, it was Ja Morant leading a pack of supremely confident athletes like Desmond Bane and Dillon Brooks.

It’s no coincidence that the Grizzlies have stayed on-brand for so long, as their head coaches have willingly embraced this identity. There’s one coach, however, whose winning ways stand out.

They say third time’s the charm, and Lionel Hollins is living proof of that. After two stints as interim coach of the franchise, Hollins was spared the interim tag in 2009 and got off to the races after that. As the brains behind “Grit and Grind,” Hollins racked up 196 regular-season wins and 18 playoff victories over the next four seasons. To date, Hollins is the only head coach to lead the Grizzlies to the Western Conference Finals.

After the Grizzlies fell to the San Antonio Spurs in the 2013 WCF, Dave Joerger was named as Hollins’ replacement. With the team’s core remaining intact, Joerger had the luxury of continuity and maximized it to the tune of three consecutive playoff trips.

As the 2010s gave way to the current decade, the Grizzlies organization entrusted the team to Taylor Jenkins. Another firm believer in hard-nosed defense, Jenkins set the benchmark for regular-season wins in Memphis; his 250 regular-season victories are the score to beat for all Grizzlies head coaches moving forward.

Though Jenkins achieved the most success in the regular season, it was Hollins who took the Grizzlies to the furthest point they’ve been in the playoffs. For being one of just two Grizzlies coaches to win 200 regular-season games (between his time in Vancouver and Memphis), as well as his 2012–13 Grizzlies appearance in a conference final, Hollins gets the nod as the greatest Grizzlies coach of all time.