:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/59472171/usa_today_10031466.0.jpg)
Former Memphis Grizzlies head coach David Fizdale will interview for the Charlotte Hornets head coaching job, according to Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN:
Former Memphis Grizzlies coach David Fizdale and San Antonio assistant Ettore Messina are scheduled to interview for Charlotte’s head coaching job in the coming days, league sources tell ESPN.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) April 21, 2018
Woj’s tweet also confirms an earlier report from the Charlotte Observer that Spurs assistant Ettore Messina would interview sometime next week.
The Fizdale news is the first we’ve heard since he was initially linked with the team a couple of weeks ago. Since then, Ettore and Jerry Stackhouse have emerged candidates for the job. With today’s news, Fizdale becomes the third.
Of the three linked with the job, only Fizdale has worked full-time as a NBA head coach. He went 43-39 in his first season with the Grizzlies, losing in six games to the Spurs. He was fired this season after the Grizzlies started the season 7-12.
The Hornets will face competition for Fizdale should they offer him the job. He is one of the most sought out coaches this offseason, and he has already interviewed with the Suns and Knicks. More than likey, Fizdale will have his choice of what team he wants to coach.
Whether the head coach ends up being Fizdale, Messina, or Stackhouse, this is a solid list of candidates to replace Steve Clifford.
We’ll continue to monitor the search as more news becomes available.