by Rob Stone
Former University of San Diego (USD) Toreros men’s basketball player and assistant coach David Fizdale was recently named as the new head coach of the Memphis Grizzlies of the National Basketball Association (NBA).
A three-year starter at point guard while playing for the Toreros, Fizdale was selected to the All-West Coast Conference team during after his senior season in 1996.
After concluding his collegiate playing career and spending one season as the Miami Heat’s video intern in 1997-98, Fizdale began his coaching career with a four-year stint (1998-2002) as an assistant coach at his alma mater, USD.
During his final season with the Toreros, Fizdale was the top assistant for head coach Brad Holland.
After four years at USD, Fizdale spent one season (2002-03) as an assistant coach at Fresno State University.
Fizdale began his NBA coaching career as an assistant coach for the Golden State Warriors for one season (2003-04) and spent four seasons (2004-08) as an assistant coach with the Atlanta Hawks.
Fizdale comes to Memphis after spending eight years with the Miami Heat under head coach Erik Spoelstra.
His partnership with Spoelstra has included two NBA championships (2012 & 2013).
Fizdale, 41, becomes the fifth former Toreros basketball player to be named an NBA head coach.
He follows in the footsteps of Bernie Bickerstaff (Seattle, Denver, Washington, Charlotte, and Los Angeles – interim), Eric Musselman (Golden State & Sacramento), Mike Brown (Cleveland & Los Angeles), and James Borrego (Orlando – interim).
Rob Stone is a lifelong resident of the San Diego area and is also a certified talent scout through Sports Management Worldwide. Rob has been working with and helping to assist sports agents in getting their clients signed to contracts. If you would like a professional scouting report written up on your favorite athlete, contact Mr. Stone directly. He may be reached at: (858) 262-3966, rstone@smww.com, Sportsguyrob@att.net, http://www.smwwscout.com/scout/robstone, or http://www.robstonesports.blogspot.com.
