On May 2, 2025, the Memphis Grizzlies officially appointed Tuomas Iisalo as their new head coach, removing his interim status after a brief tenure. Iisalo, a Finnish-born coach, becomes the first NBA head coach from Finland. He initially joined the Grizzlies as an assistant coach in 2024 following a successful stint in Europe, where he led Paris Basketball to the 2023-24 EuroCup championship and earned EuroCup Coach of the Year honors. ([Reuters][1], [New York Post][2])
Iisalo took over as interim head coach on March 28, 2025, following the unexpected dismissal of former head coach Taylor Jenkins, who had a 44-29 record and was the franchise’s winningest coach. Under Iisalo, the Grizzlies concluded the season with a 48-34 record and secured a playoff berth through the play-in tournament but were swept 4-0 by the Oklahoma City Thunder in the first round. ([Reuters][1])
General Manager Zach Kleiman expressed confidence in Iisalo’s leadership, praising his disciplined and tenacious coaching style. With the core of Ja Morant, Jaren Jackson Jr., and Desmond Bane returning, Iisalo faces the challenge of leading the team in a competitive Western Conference. ([Reuters][1], [New York Post][2])
Iisalo’s appointment marks a significant moment in NBA history, highlighting the increasing diversity and international influence in the league’s coaching ranks.
The Memphis Grizzlies have officially appointed Tuomas Iisalo as their new head coach, removing the interim tag from his title. This decision comes after Iisalo successfully led the team as interim head coach, following the dismissal of Taylor Jenkins in late March. Under Iisalo’s guidance, the Grizzlies finished the season with a 4-5 record and navigated the Play-In Tournament, ultimately falling to the Oklahoma City Thunder in the playoffs ¹.
*About Tuomas Iisalo*
– *Background*: Iisalo, a Finnish professional basketball coach and former player, stands at 1.95m (6 ft 5 in) and played as a shooting guard during his playing career.
– *Coaching Experience*: Before joining the Grizzlies, Iisalo served as the head coach of Paris Basketball in the French LNB Pro A and the EuroCup, leading the team to the 2024 EuroCup title and being named the EuroCup Coach of the Year.
– *Playing Career*: Iisalo played for various Finnish youth national teams and the Finland senior national team, earning 58 caps.
*Reaction to the Appointment*
– *Fan Reaction*: The news sparked immediate outrage among fans, with some expressing dissatisfaction on social media, questioning the decision to hire Iisalo and speculating about potential future outcomes, including Ja Morant requesting a trade.
– *Grizzlies’ Front Office*: Grizzlies President and General Manager Zachary Kleiman expressed confidence in Iisalo, stating that he expects Iisalo to bring discipline, tenacity, and connection to the team on both ends of the floor ² ¹.
*What’s Next for the Grizzlies?*
– *Offseason Changes*: The team will likely undergo roster changes, and Iisalo will have the opportunity to shape the team according to his coaching style, which emphasizes pace, three-point shots, and strong offensive rebounding.
– *Ja Morant’s Role*: Iisalo has reportedly worked well with Ja Morant, incorporating more pick-and-roll plays for the star player ¹.
[](https://apnews.com/article/grizzlies-coach-iisalo-945859b79b781acf32b5eba992046541)
**Memphis Grizzlies Appoint Tuomas Iisalo as Head Coach**
In a historic move, the Memphis Grizzlies have officially appointed Tuomas Iisalo as their head coach, removing his interim status after a brief tenure. Iisalo, who took over on March 28 following the dismissal of former head coach Taylor Jenkins, led the team to a 48-34 record and a playoff berth through the play-in tournament. However, the Grizzlies were swept 4-0 by the Oklahoma City Thunder in the first round. At 42, Iisalo becomes the first NBA head coach born in Finland. He joined the Grizzlies as an assistant before the 2024 season after being named EuroCup Coach of the Year while coaching Paris Basketball. Grizzlies general manager Zach Kleiman praised Iisalo’s disciplined and tenacious coaching style and expressed optimism about the team’s future under his leadership. ([Reuters][1], [New York Post][2])
**Background and Coaching Philosophy**
Iisalo’s coaching journey began in Europe, where he achieved significant success. He led Paris Basketball to the 2023-24 EuroCup championship and earned EuroCup Coach of the Year honors. Prior to that, he coached Telekom Baskets Bonn and Crailsheim Merlins, earning multiple Coach of the Year awards in Germany and France. His coaching philosophy emphasizes pace, three-point shooting, and strong offensive rebounding. This approach aligns with the Grizzlies’ roster, which includes dynamic players like Ja Morant and Jaren Jackson Jr. Iisalo’s emphasis on offensive rebounding aims to capitalize on second-chance opportunities, a crucial aspect of modern NBA play. ([New York Post][2], [Fox Sports][3], [Wikipedia][4], [Squamish Chief][5], [Athlon Sports][6])
**Challenges and Future Outlook**
The Grizzlies’ decision to part ways with Jenkins, despite a 44-29 record and a fifth-place finish in the Western Conference, was unexpected. Jenkins was the franchise’s winningest coach and had developed a strong rapport with key players. Iisalo now faces the challenge of leading a team with high expectations and a competitive Western Conference landscape. The return of star players like Morant, Jackson Jr., and Desmond Bane provides a solid foundation for the team’s future success. With Iisalo’s leadership and strategic vision, the Grizzlies aim to build on their recent achievements and contend for a championship in the upcoming seasons.([TalkBasket][7], [Reuters][1])
**Conclusion**
Tuomas Iisalo’s appointment as head coach marks a new era for the Memphis Grizzlies. His international coaching experience and innovative strategies bring a fresh perspective to the team. As the first Finnish-born head coach in NBA history, Iisalo’s journey reflects the global nature of the sport and the increasing influence of international coaching talent in the league. The Grizzlies’ management and fans are hopeful that Iisalo’s leadership will guide the team to new heights in the coming seasons.([New York Post][2])
Leave a Reply