Grizzlies Make NBA History With Franchise's New Head Coach

Contributing Sports Writer

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The Memphis Grizzlies have announced the next head coach of the team, naming interim Tuomas Iisalo as the permanent coach. This comes weeks after the team let go of Taylor Jenkins just before the postseason.

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With this hire, the Grizzlies have made NBA history, hiring the first Finnish-born head coach. ESPN NBA insider Shams Charania reported the news on social media.

"Iisalo had a 14-year professional career as a player in Finland before beginning a long coaching career. He won the EuroCup and EuroCup coach of the year in 2024 before joining the Grizzlies."

Iisalo had a 14-year professional career as a player in Finland before beginning a long coaching career. He won the EuroCup and EuroCup coach of the year in 2024 before joining the Grizzlies. https://t.co/UoRQUGxhny
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) May 2, 2025

Grizzlies president and general manager Zachary Kleiman released a statement on the team hiring Iisalo full-time.

"I have full confidence in Tuomas serving as head coach of the Memphis Grizzlies going forward," said Grizzlies President and General Manager of Basketball Operations Zachary Z. Kleiman. "Tuomas' teams at every level have been disciplined, tenacious and connected on both ends of the floor, consistently exceeding expectations. We look forward to the same in Memphis."

Memphis is entering a crucial offseason following a tough playoff exit in the first round against the Oklahoma City Thunder. The Grizzlies were swept in the postseason, and they enter the summer with many questions to answer.

The status of star guard Ja Morant will be at the top of the list, with many people around the league wondering if he could be traded. Morant is a special talent, but his antics on the court can get him into trouble at times.

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For the season, Morant averaged 23.2 points, 4.1 rebounds, 7.3 assists, and 1.2 steals. Morant was limited to just 50 games this year due to injury, and he suffered another injury during the postseason, ending his season.

Ja Morant, Memphis Grizzlies — MEMPHIS, TENNESSEE - APRIL 24: Ja Morant #12 of the Memphis Grizzlies handles the ball against the Oklahoma City Thunder during Game Three of the Western Conference First Round NBA Playoffs at FedExForum on April... Photo by Justin Ford/Getty Images

In addition to the questions about Morant, the Grizzlies have a big decision to make on star big man Jaren Jackson Jr. this summer. Jackson Jr. can be eligible for a new contract, and Memphis will have to determine if it wants to sign him long-term.

It should be an interesting offseason for the Grizzlies, and with Iisalo in the fold, the next domino can fall. Memphis believes that they can contend in the Western Conference, but they will need to get creative to make it happen.