In a surprising move, the Memphis Grizzlies have fired head coach Taylor Jenkins, even as the team holds a 44-29 record and remains firmly in playoff contention. The decision was officially announced on March 28, 2025, with ESPN’s Shams Charania reporting that Jenkins was informed of the dismissal during an in-person meeting that morning.
Jenkins, 40, had served as the Grizzlies’ head coach since 2019, leading the team through one of the most successful stretches in franchise history. Under his leadership, Memphis earned multiple playoff appearances, including a second-round run in 2021 and back-to-back top-three finishes in the Western Conference. His overall record of 250-214 makes him the winningest coach in team history.
His contributions, however, were not enough to prevent what the team described as a difficult but necessary decision. In a statement, general manager Zach Kleiman said, “This was a difficult decision given the consistent and tangible development of our players and overall success under Taylor’s leadership. I wish Taylor the very best going forward.”
The team has appointed assistant coach Tuomas Iisalo as interim head coach. Iisalo, who joined Memphis two seasons ago after a successful coaching stint in Europe, will now be tasked with leading the team through the remainder of the season.
Memphis currently sits fifth in the Western Conference, tied with the fourth-place Los Angeles Lakers. The Grizzlies rank second in the NBA in both points and rebounds per game and are recognised for their fast-paced style of play.
The decision may reflect internal shifts in long-term strategy, despite the team’s strong performance this season. As the Grizzlies enter the final stretch, all eyes will be on how Iisalo leads a team still aiming for a deep postseason run.
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