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Posted on April 11, 2025, by [Kuchun], Memphis Basketball Junkie and NBA Insider
It’s just after 11 a.m. here in Memphis on April 11, 2025, and I’m still trying to wrap my head around the bombshell that dropped two weeks ago. I was grabbing coffee, scrolling X, when Shams Charania’s notification hit my phone like a thunderbolt: the Memphis Grizzlies fired head coach Taylor Jenkins. Fired. With nine games left in the regular season. Playoffs right around the corner. I spit out my latte and dove into the details, because this wasn’t just news—it was a seismic shift for a team I’ve cheered through grit, grind, and everything in between.
As a lifelong Grizzlies fan who’s been courtside for Ja Morant’s dunks and Desmond Bane’s clutch threes, I’ve seen coaches come and go. But Jenkins? He was different. The guy who turned our scrappy squad into a Western Conference contender, only to get the boot when we’re sitting pretty at No. 5 in the West? I had to dig deeper. Thanks to Shams and my own obsession with this team, I’ve pieced together what happened, why it went down, and what’s next for Memphis. Whether you’re a die-hard Grizz fan or just love NBA drama, this is the full scoop on one of the wildest coaching moves in recent memory. Let’s break it down.
The Shocker: Taylor Jenkins Out in Memphis
On March 28, 2025, Shams Charania broke the news that sent shockwaves through the NBA: Taylor Jenkins was called into the Grizzlies’ front office that morning and told he was done. After six seasons, a 250-214 record, and three playoff appearances, the winningest coach in franchise history was out. I was stunned—Jenkins had just led us to a 44-29 record, tied for fourth in the West with the Lakers. We were gearing up for a playoff push, not a coaching overhaul.
Shams reported that the Grizzlies believed Jenkins had “lost the locker room,” a phrase that hit me hard. I’ve been around this team long enough to know that chemistry is everything—think back to the Tony Allen-Zach Randolph days. If the players weren’t buying in, something had to give. But firing your coach with nine games left? That’s not just bold—it’s downright wild. The decision came straight from GM Zach Kleiman, who didn’t mince words: “Urgency is a core principle of ours.” Translation? They thought a change now could save the season.
Why It Happened: The Cracks in the Foundation
So, what pushed the Grizzlies to pull the trigger? I’ve been piecing it together from Shams’ reports, fan chatter on X, and my own take as someone who’s watched every game this season. Here’s what went down:
A Rough Stretch Exposed Tensions
The Grizzlies were flying high earlier this year—second in the West at the All-Star break, with Ja Morant back from a rough 2023-24. But since February, things got shaky. We went 8-11 post-break, dropping four of our last five before the firing. Losses to top teams like Oklahoma City (by 21 points in Jenkins’ final game) and Cleveland stung bad. I was at FedExForum for the Thunder game, and the vibe was off—sloppy defense, no spark. Shams noted the team’s 11-20 record against above-.500 clubs, compared to a 33-9 romp over weaker teams. That split screamed inconsistency, and apparently, the front office wasn’t having it.
The Locker Room Disconnect
Shams’ big reveal was that Jenkins had lost the players’ trust. I saw hints of it—a timeout scuffle between Desmond Bane and Santi Aldama against Utah, where Bane shoved Aldama hard enough to make headlines. Ja Morant, out with a hamstring injury for the last six games before the firing, wasn’t there to steady the ship. I’ve talked to buddies who cover the team, and they say Jenkins’ new system—more on that in a sec—wasn’t clicking with everyone. When your stars aren’t all-in, cracks form fast.
A Risky New Offense
Last summer, the Grizzlies revamped their coaching staff, bringing in Tuomas Iisalo and Noah LaRoche to shake up the offense. Out went pick-and-rolls and dribble handoffs; in came a motion-based system inspired by European basketball, hockey, and soccer. I thought it was cool at first—our halfcourt efficiency jumped to above average, a big leap from past years. But players like Morant, who thrives on pick-and-rolls, reportedly weren’t thrilled. Iisalo and LaRoche were fired alongside Jenkins, which tells me the experiment didn’t land like Kleiman hoped.
Front Office Pressure
Kleiman’s been building this team around Morant, Bane, and Jaren Jackson Jr. since 2019, and he’s not patient. I respect his hustle—he drafted Ja and turned us into contenders—but firing five assistants last summer set a weird tone. Jenkins was emotional letting those coaches go, and I wonder if that strained things with the front office. Shams didn’t say it outright, but reading between the lines, Kleiman wanted a spark to “optimize” Morant’s prime, even if it meant a midseason gut punch.
The Fallout: What’s Next for the Grizzlies?
With Jenkins gone, the Grizzlies named Tuomas Iisalo interim head coach. Iisalo’s a Finnish guru who won EuroCup Coach of the Year with Paris Basketball in 2024, but stepping into this mess? That’s a tall order. Here’s where things stand:
Iisalo’s Challenge
Iisalo’s first game was a 134-127 loss to the Lakers—tough, but not a disaster. I watched it on my phone at a bar, and we looked scrappy, just not sharp. With eight games left as I write this, Iisalo’s got to rally a team that’s 50-29 and fighting for a top-four seed. Morant’s back now, which helps, but blending his style with Iisalo’s vision in crunch time? I’m nervous. Kleiman sidestepped whether Iisalo’s auditioning for the full-time gig, but I’d bet he’s got a shot if we make noise in the playoffs.
Playoff Picture
We’re tied with Minnesota for fourth in the West, 2.5 games ahead of the play-in zone. I’m optimistic—we’ve got home games against Boston and Golden State coming up, and Morant’s return could flip the script. But without Jenkins’ steady hand, I’m worried about our defense, which slid to 19th since the break. A first-round matchup with the Lakers or Nuggets isn’t a cakewalk, and Iisalo’s got to prove he can hang with the big dogs.
Jenkins’ Future
Shams called Jenkins “one of the top head coaching candidates” for the next cycle, and I agree. At 40, with a .539 win percentage and a Coach of the Year runner-up nod in 2022, he’s a hot commodity. I wouldn’t be shocked to see him land with a team like the Wizards or Nets by summer. I’m bummed he’s gone, but I’m rooting for him to stick it to the doubters.
A Fan’s Take: Why This Hurts
I’ve been a Grizzlies fan since the Vancouver days, through Lionel Hollins and Mike Conley’s heartbreaks. Jenkins was our guy—hired in 2019, same year as Morant, and built this team from a 33-win squad to back-to-back 50-win seasons. I was at the game when he passed Hollins for most wins in franchise history last November, and the crowd gave him love. Firing him now feels like breaking up with your high school sweetheart right before prom. Sure, we’ve struggled lately, but 44-29 with Ja missing 30 games? That’s not chump change.
What gets me is the timing. Nine games left, playoffs looming—why not wait? I get Kleiman’s “urgency,” but shaking things up this late feels like rolling dice with our season. I’m still all-in on this team—Ja’s my guy, Bane’s a sniper—but I’m nervous about what’s next.
FAQ: Your Questions About Jenkins’ Firing Answered
I’ve been texting buddies and scrolling X—here’s what fans across the USA are asking:
Why did the Grizzlies fire Taylor Jenkins?
Shams reported Jenkins lost the locker room, with a 8-11 skid post-All-Star break and struggles against winning teams (11-20) sealing his fate. Kleiman wanted a spark before the playoffs.
Who’s coaching the Grizzlies now?
Tuomas Iisalo, a Finnish assistant hired last summer, is the interim head coach. He’s got EuroCup cred but faces a tough test with eight games left.
How good was Jenkins with Memphis?
He went 250-214 (.539), the most wins in Grizzlies history, with three playoff trips and one series win. This season, he had us at 44-29 before the ax.
What’s next for the Grizzlies?
They’re 50-29, tied for fourth in the West. With Morant back, Iisalo’s got to steer them past tough foes like Boston and Golden State to lock a top seed.
Conclusion: A New Chapter for Memphis
It’s April 11, 2025, and the dust is still settling from the Grizzlies’ stunning decision to fire Taylor Jenkins. Shams Charania laid it bare: a coach who gave us six years of heart and hustle lost the room, and Zach Kleiman wasn’t waiting around. As a fan who’s bled blue and gold since the Pyramid days, I’m torn—grateful for Jenkins’ legacy, nervous for what Tuomas Iisalo brings, and hyped for Ja Morant to carry us in the playoffs. This move’s a gamble, but Memphis doesn’t back down from a fight.
