NBA Rumors: Chad Forcier Parts Ways with Memphis Grizzlies Ahead of Coaching Search

As the Memphis Grizzlies prepare to conduct their next search for a competent head coach, you can leave Chad Forcier off the list.

It is now five days since the Memphis Grizzlies announced the firing of J.B. Bickerstaff and restructuring of their organization. Though they have been quick to fill head coaching vacancies in the past, all is quiet on the Grizzlies’ front nearly one week since the job opening became posted.

While Bickerstaff was relieved of his coaching duties, there was no official word on the status of his coaching staff. However, Jerry Stackhouse — an assistant under J.B. Bickerstaff — bolted one week prior to the end of the regular season, albeit an offer he could not turn down in his young coaching career.

Additionally, another Memphis Grizzlies assistant coach — Nick Van Exel — has shown interest in the head coaching vacancy at his alma mater, the University of Cincinnati. Cincy is not moving as quickly as Vanderbilt did with Stackhouse, but it would not be a surprise to see Van Exel head north into the collegiate ranks.

On Monday, yet another one of Bickerstaff’s assistants has indicated a move in the opposite direction of the Memphis Grizzlies. This time it came in the form of Chad Forcier via his personal Twitter account.

It is unfortunate to see Chad Forcier part ways with the Grizzlies after just one season. When news broke of him joining Memphis, it was a huge win for the franchise. He has been a key player behind the scenes of many successful teams, most notably the San Antonio Spurs’ championship dynasty.

Honestly, if the Memphis Grizzlies were to fill their head coaching vacancy with a candidate with zero NBA head coaching experience, Forcier should rank atop their list. He has always found success on a high level in the NBA. Plus, he has been a part of many championship teams. He knows what it takes to win as well as keep talented rosters together.

In 18 consecutive seasons spent as an NBA assistant coach, Chad Forcier has worked as a member of the Detroit Pistons, Indiana Pacers, San Antonio Spurs, and Orlando Magic (respectively) prior to joining the Memphis Grizzlies in 2018. He definitely has the potential to be a team’s diamond pulled from the rough. It is hard to argue with this statement considering how well Spurs Head Coach Gregg Popovich‘s staff members produce once leaving San Antonio. It is almost as if success is guaranteed.

This time around, it appears as if the Memphis Grizzlies will not be the ones to find out how good of an NBA head coach Chad Forcier could be. They missed an opportunity to promote Jerry Stackhouse. Nick Van Excel could be off the table any day now. Goodbye, Forcier.

In 2019, it does not look like Memphis will promote from within. Plus, there is currently not a lot of potential head coaching candidates on the open market that would “wow” the Grizzlies fan base. Any hire will come with its fair share of risk. Regardless, this is nothing different than the Grizzlies’ former hires of David Fizdale and J.B. Bickerstaff, and even Dave Joerger.

The Memphis Grizzlies will soon have to roll the dice and take yet another chance. They are doing their roster a disservice by not settling into negotiations with Chad Forcier.