Dave Joerger turns down Wolves, will remain in Memphis
Dave Joerger was reportedly close to a deal with Minnesota. (USATSI) More Offseason Analysis: Coaching changes, news | Free Agency | DraftAfter receiving permission to interview for the Minnesota job, Dave Joerger is staying in Memphis, two league sources confirmed to CBSSports.com.
According to one person familiar with the discussions, owner Robert Pera spoke with Joerger over the past two days and persuaded him to stay. It's not clear why Pera would let his coach get this far in pursuing another job and then change his mind.
'Direct conversations without any filters or outside interference,' the person briefed on the discussions said, proposing one possible explanation for the reunion.
Of course, the fact that compensation talks between the Grizzlies and Timberwolves were not going well is another plausible reason. The Wolves were reluctant to surrender significant assets for a coach that the Grizzlies, by all indications, were ready to let go.
This news is surprising given previous reports that Joerger and the Wolves were close to a deal and the Grizzlies were interested in Jeff Van Gundy for a president-and-coach role similar to what the Detroit Pistons gave Stan Van Gundy. Joerger interviewed with Minnesota owner Glen Taylor on Saturday.
In Joerger's first season as the head coach in Memphis, the team went 50-32 and lost in the first round of the playoffs.
Ken Berger contributed to this story.
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