Taylor Jenkins Was Long Expected To Be Fired By Grizzlies In Offseason
While the timing of the Memphis Grizzlies' dismissal of Taylor Jenkins was surprising, many around the league expected him to not remain head coach into the 25-26 season. The Grizzlies overhauled Jenkins' coaching staff during the 2024 offseason, which an initial signal that his job was in jeopardy.
"The anticipation was they'd get bounced in the first round and he'd be fired," said Tim MacMahon on Monday's Hoop Collective Podcast. "That's honestly been the anticipation since last summer. All season long. Like the odds of Taylor Jenkins coming back next year were very slim. But to be fired with nine games left in the season... a playoff team. Yeah, the timing was shocking."
The Grizzlies hired Jenkins as head coach in 2019 to replace J.B. Bickerstaff ahead of their selection of Ja Morant with the No. 2 overall pick. Jenkins finished second in Coach of the Year voting in 2022 when the Grizzlies were the No. 2 seed in the Western Conference.