Is Taylor Jenkins the greatest coach in the Grizzlies' franchise history?

The Memphis Grizzlies defeated the Philadelphia 76ers 117-111 last night to extend their record to 9-7 and give coach Taylor Jenkins his 215th career victory. His 215th victory officially made Taylor Jenkins the winningest coach in the Grizzlies' franchise history, surpassing Lionel Hollins' 214 wins from 2008 to 2016.

The Beginning

Taylor Jenkins began his coaching career as an assistant coach for the Atlanta Hawks from 2013 to 2018 followed by a one-year stint with the Milwaukee Bucks during the 2018-19 season before accepting the position as the Memphis Grizzlies head coach in 2019. While in his sixth season as the head coach for the Grizzlies, Taylor Jenkins currently has a 215-192 record as head coach and a playoff record of 9-14.

He has had a winning season in three of his first five seasons, including playoff appearances in those three winning seasons. His arrival coincided with the drafting of franchise staple Ja Morant, initiating the Grizzlies' new era of basketball.

The longer a coach's tenure is the more scrutiny arises as the pressure to deliver a championship grows by the season, especially when the team has a superstar player. Taylor Jenkins' best season was the 2021-22 season when the Grizzlies tied their franchise record with 56 wins and made it to the second round of the playoffs before losing to the eventual champion Golden State Warriors in six games.

After a first-round exit followed by a tumultuous season filled with injuries, Taylor Jenkins has found himself with more pressure after a summer of revamping nearly his entire coaching staff. Adding to the pressure is Jenkins is one of only five coaches that has remained with his current team since he was hired.

That list includes championship coaches Gregg Popovich, Erik Spoelstra, Steve Kerr, and Mike Malone. When you are in the company of that in a what have you done for me lately society and league, the pressure is mounted.

However, Taylor Jenkins' accomplishment can't be understated in the Grizzlies' history of successful head coaches, and he recognized that after his accomplishment last night.

Hubie Brown brought the Grizzlies their first winning season in franchise history in the 2003-04 season. Mike Fratello built on that success with back-to-back winning seasons and playoff appearances from 2004-2006. Lionel Hollins brought the franchise back to success after three consecutive losing seasons with the most successful run in the history of the franchise.

Lionel Hollins provided the franchise with their first-ever playoff victory, and series won in 2011, and their most successful season with a Western Conference Finals appearance in 2013. Dave Joerger continued what Hollins built by notching three consecutive winning seasons from 2013 to 2016, including a second-round playoff appearance in 2015 that ended with a loss to the eventual champions the Golden State Warriors again.

The Grizzlies suffered three consecutive losing seasons between Joerger's and Jenkins' tenure, providing the franchise with an opportunity to draft Jaren Jackson Jr. in 2018 followed by Ja Morant in 2019. Desmond Bane was drafted in 2020 to complete the Grizzlies' current core and gave Jenkins his first winning season in the 2020-21 season.

By the numbers, Taylor Jenkins has a great case to be the best coach in the Grizzlies' franchise history. His tenure has been successful but he is the only coach to have a team with true championship aspirations and that will ultimately make or break his tenure as the Grizzlies head coach.