Fresno State Athletics
Fizdale named head coach for Memphis Grizzlies
5/29/2016 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
By Stephen Trembley
strembley@csufresno.edu
www.GoBulldogs.com
MEMPHIS, Tenn. --- Former Fresno State assistant men's basketball coach David Fizdale was named the head coach for the NBA's Memphis Grizzlies, the organization announced officially on Sunday. Fizdale will be introduced at a press conference on Tuesday.
Fizdale served as an assistant coach for the Bulldogs from 2002-03 during former head coach Ray Lopes' first season. During his time at Fresno State, Fizdale was responsible for player development and served as the program's recruiting coordinator as the 'Dogs won the 2003 Western Athletic Conference regular season championship.
Fizdale heads to Memphis after spending the last eight seasons as an assistant with the Miami Heat, including the last past two assistant head coach under head coach Erik Spoelstra. While with the Heat, Fizdale was part of coaching staff that won two NBA championships and coached former Bulldog guard Tyler Johnson since he joined the organization in 2014.
Fizdale served as head coach of Miami's NBA Summer League teams in 2010 and 2012 and began his professional career assisting in the HEAT's video room during the 1997-98 season.
Fizdale returned to Miami prior to the 2008-09 season after spending four seasons (2004-08) as an assistant coach with the Atlanta Hawks where he played an instrumental role in the development of their young players. He helped the Hawks increase their win total in each of his final three seasons and during the 2007-08 season, they earned the franchise's first postseason appearance since 1999. He began his NBA coaching career as an assistant coach with the Golden State Warriors for one season (2003-04).
Directly before joining the Warriors, Fizdale spent five seasons coaching in the college ranks. After concluding his collegiate playing career and spending one year as the HEAT's video intern in 1997-98, he began his coaching career with a four-year stint (1998-2002) as an assistant coach at his alma mater, the University of San Diego. During his final year with the Toreros he was the top assistant for coach Brad Holland.
A three-year starter at point guard while playing at the University of San Diego, Fizdale was selected to the All-West Coast Conference team after his senior season in 1996.
Fizdale, a Los Angeles native, earned a bachelor's degree in communications and a minor in sociology from San Diego in 1996. He, and his wife Natasha, have one son, Kyle Jackson.
Fizdale joins former Fresno State player Rolland Todd (1956-57) as the second individual with Bulldog connections to be tabbed as a NBA head coach. Todd coached the then-expansion Portland Trailblazers (1970-72) as the team's first head coach.
"Be Bold." -- The Bulldog Scholarship Fund gives Bulldog alumni, fans and friends the opportunity to support Fresno State Athletics and the student-athletes who inspire them. For information about how you can support the Bulldog Scholarship Fund, please visit www.bulldogscholarshipfund.com or call 559-278-7160.
