Breaking News: Memphis Grizzlies Fire Fratello

From the Memphis Grizzlies

Memphis, Tennessee - December 28, 2006 - Memphis Grizzlies President of Basketball Operations Jerry West announced today that Mike Fratello has been relieved of his head coaching duties.

Fratello led Memphis to a 95-83 record after he was hired on December 2, 2004 as the Grizzlies' seventh head coach in team history. He led the Grizzlies to two postseason appearances, and became the franchise's all-time winningest head coach in April. This season, Fratello led the Grizzlies to a 6-24 record.

"I'd like to thank Mike for the contributions he made to the Grizzlies organization," said West. "He is a great coach and friend, and he did an outstanding job guiding this team to two playoff appearances in Memphis. We just felt it was time to make a change and move in a different direction based on our record and future goals. We wish Mike the best in his future endeavors."

"I would like to thank Michael Heisley and Jerry West for the opportunity to come to Memphis and be a part of the Grizzlies organization," said Fratello. "I came here a little more than two years ago, and in my first season inherited a 5-11 team that we turned around to win 45 games and advance to the playoffs. We built on that record the following year to win 49 games and return to the playoffs for a second consecutive season. Unfortunately, this season has been one of disarray starting this past summer. I am sorry I have not been able to find a way up to this point to turn things around, and I understand why a change needs to be made. Things will get better with both an abundance of home games coming up and the eventual return of Lawrence Roberts and Kyle Lowry from their injuries."

"I would like to thank the many wonderful people I have met while in Memphis, both in basketball and around the community," continued Fratello. "I'd like to thank my staff and players for their hard work over the last two seasons. I wish them nothing but the best."

Fratello came to the Grizzlies as one of the NBA's most successful coaches in history, ranking 19th on the all-time wins list and 21st on the all-time games coached list when he joined the team. A 16-year coaching veteran, his teams have qualified for the NBA playoffs in 11 of his 16 seasons as a head coach. He earned his 600th career win as a head coach on March 4, 2005, only the 19th coach all-time to reach the 600-win plateau.

A search for an interim head coach will begin immediately.

Jerry West will meet with the media tomorrow at 11 a.m. in the press conference room at FedExForum.