Memphis Grizzlies: 5 candidates to replace David Fizdale as head coach

3. Jerry Stackhouse

An 18-year NBA veteran and two-time All-Star, Jerry Stackhouse is one of the brightest stars in coaching right now. After retiring in 2013, Stackhouse spent two years in broadcasting before joining the Toronto Raptors coaching staff in 2015.

Stackhouse was part of the coaching staff that led the Raptors to the Eastern Conference Finals that season. The following year he was handed the reins of the Raptors 905, the team’s D-League affiliate. Stackhouse proceeded to lead the team to the D-League title in his first season, winning D-League Coach of the Year in the process.

The former guard was incredibly poised and professional for his relative inexperience as a head coach, and his players on the 905 responded. Despite Toronto frequently moving players back-and-forth between the Raptors and the 905, Stackhouse injected a team identity into his players that carried them to a title.

The Grizzlies may want to look at younger head coaching options, and the 43-year-old Stackhouse would fit the bill. Whether they reach out now or at the end of the season, Stackhouse has earned the right to be in consideration for any NBA head coaching vacancy.