Ewing interviews for Grizzlies job, source says
Charlotte Hornets assistant coach Patrick Ewing has interviewed for the head-coach opening with the Memphis Grizzlies, a source confirmed Friday to ESPN’s Ramona Shelburne.
Ewing, the legendary Hall of Fame center, met with the Grizzlies on Thursday. CBS Sports reported the news earlier via Twitter.
The Sacramento Kings reportedly also interviewed Ewing this week before hiring Dave Joerger, who was fired last week by the Grizzlies after three seasons as their coach.
Sources close to the situation confirmed to ESPN that a divide between Joerger and the Grizzlies’ front office had been growing for some time.
Ewing has been an assistant for four teams over the past 13 seasons and has spent the past three seasons as an associate head coach for Charlotte, which lost to the Miami Heat in seven games in their first-round playoff series.
Before this week, Ewing had interviewed for just two head-coaching positions. He turned down an opportunity to coach the Knicks’ D-League team in 2012.
The Grizzlies stumbled into the playoffs after ending the regular season with a 3-14 stretch to finish 42-40 as the No. 7 seed in the West. They were then swept in the first round by the San Antonio Spurs.
Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.
