There aren't many reputable NBA coaches clamoring to get the Timberwolves coaching position. In fact, most of them wouldn't touch it with a 39½ foot pole, and it's easy to understand why.
Kevin Love probably leaving. No eye-popping young talent. A history of losing. Cold winters. You get the picture.
Looking to the college ranks hasn't panned out either. Every coach the Wolves coveted seems to be comfortable where they're at – at least, that's what Tom Izzo and Fred Hoiberg claimed when faced with the prospect of leaving their winning, supportive collegiate environments to enter the unstable NBA coaching circuit. Florida head coach Billy Donovan was targeted as well, but he recently signed a long-term extension with the Gators.
With the roster looking uncertain and the franchise approaching the 10th anniversary of its last playoff game, it seemed like Flip Saunders would have to fill the Wolves' coaching vacancy by default.
Thankfully for the Wolves, the emergence of Memphis's Dave Joerger as a leading candidate could be the break they needed.
Joerger is local, young and successful – the kind of fit the Wolves need right now.
Minnesota's last two coaches haven't been long-term answers, and everybody knew it. Kurt Rambis came to Minnesota from Los Angeles after spending two stints with the Lakers as a player and two stints as an assistant coach. He always had his left eye on the Lakers job and still does. Why else would he agree to become an assistant for Mike D'Antoni last season?
Freshly-retired Rick Adelman probably gave the Wolves the final three years of his career. He was 65 when they hired him and seemed reluctant to come back for each subsequent season, though he had good reason with the declining health of his wife.
Joerger, on the other hand, is 40 years young, the same age of Flip Saunders at the time of his hire in 1995. The Staples, MN native has many quality coaching years ahead; plenty of time to embark on a rebuilding project if necessary.
What better place for Joerger to run a team than his home state of Minnesota where fans would rejoice at the prospect of an 8-seed?
He also has a winning reputation at every level up to this point. Since 2001, Joerger has won championships at the IBA, CBA and D-League levels. While semi-pro championships can be taken with a grain of salt, there's no denying his 50-win debut season with the Grizzlies was impressive, topped off by a valiant seven-game effort against the No. 2-seeded Oklahoma City Thunder.
With the Grizzlies’ front office in chaos, Joerger wants out of Memphis. Repeat: a coach that finished the regular season with a 37-15 record wants to leave his team and possibly come to Minnesota.
The Wolves should pinch themselves, and when they realize they're not dreaming they should jump at the chance to hire Joerger.
| Sam Ekstrom is a staff writer for Cold Omaha at 105 The Ticket. He has previously served as a play-by-play broadcaster in Iowa and South Dakota and has covered Minnesota sports since 2012. Follow him on Twitter @SamEkstrom for further insights |