The resignation of Taylor Jenkins came as a big surprise for the Memphis camp on Friday, because the coach had stretched positive results for six years until this season 2024-25. This is why managing director Zach Kleiman wants to prevent drama from being called up and has taken some responsibility for this delicate decision.
“I came to the conclusion that this is in the best interest of the team, and urgency is a core principle of ours, so decided to continue with the move,” he said the next day, what was the first time he spoke publicly since the tactic dismissal, just like the Grizzlies team had been preparing for their PAKERS.
The vice-president of basketball activities guaranteed that he did not consult this decision with someone else before he had been the coach for the Tennessee club for six long years. “The players were not consulted about this decision,” said Kleiman. “This decision is only mine and mine.”
The 40-year-old Memphis had coached well, so they were well positioned for this year’s play-offs in the 5th position of the Western Conference with nine more games. They marked this campaign 44-29 and in general 250-214 (.539) with the team during his entire six years.
The Grizzlies had a negative piece lately, after they had lost four of their last five outings and 8-12 in their 20 games. Kleiman said that Jenkins “leaves the team in a much better position than when he started”, but never really gave a direct explanation for his resignation.
“In this case I will find out that of course I gave this real thought and came to the conclusion that this is in the best interest in our team in the future,” said the general director.
This means that Tuomas Iisalo is called Memphis’s new interim head coach. “There is now clear noise around the team and that is something that can also be a destabilizing factor for the entire team,” he said before he lost to the Lakers on Saturday evening.
