Fratello hired as Grizzlies' coach

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Fratello hired as Grizzlies' coach By WOODY BAIRD, Associated Press Writer Dec 2, 2004 - 4:15:00 PM	Email this article Printer friendly page
MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) -- Mike Fratello was hired as coach of the Memphis Grizzlies on Thursday, leaving the TV booth and replacing friend and mentor Hubie Brown, who retired last week for health reasons. Fratello, sometimes known as ``Little Hubie'' when he worked as an assistant for Brown, coached the Atlanta Hawks for eight seasons and the Cleveland Cavaliers for six before going into sports broadcasting. He is the Grizzlies' seventh head coach. ``Today is the beginning of a new day for all of us,'' Grizzlies president Jerry West said. ``We want to get back to where we feel good about ourselves.'' Fratello said Brown wished him well and offered to give advice when asked. ``I am inheriting a team that knows organization, that knows discipline and plays unselfishly,'' Fratello said. ``That is a great head start.'' Memphis owner Michael Heisley likened Fratello's hard-nosed, demanding style to that of Brown's. ``Both of them really know the game,'' he said. ``They're very strong disciplinarians, and I think our players will respond because they'll see a lot of Hubie in Mike.'' Brown also left a broadcasting job to coach the Grizzlies in November 2002. He led the team to 50 victories last season and the franchise's first playoff appearance. But the Grizzlies started this season 5-11 and have lost five in a row, including four since Brown's departure. Brown, 71, was coach of the year last season and was the NBA's oldest coach when he retired last week. He declined to give details on his health, but said he was not seriously ill. Fratello declined to discuss his plans for the team or if he expects to keep Brown's system. Brown credited his 10-man rotation with keeping players fresh, particularly at the end of close games. ``I can't answer that right now,'' Fratello said. ``I want to see what the players can do, how I feel comfortable with the staff, go from there.'' Fratello will bring former Golden State Warriors coach Eric Musselman with him as an assistant. Lionel Hollins, who took over as interim coach for four games after Brown's departure, remains an assistant. Mitchell Anderson, a former assistant and scout with the Grizzlies, will rejoin the franchise as an assistant. Fratello's overall NBA record is 592-499, including 20-34 in the playoffs. He was an assistant under Brown for four seasons in Atlanta (1978-81) and one season in New York (1982-83). He coached the Cavaliers from 1993-99 before becoming an analyst for TNT and the Miami Heat. Heisley said West had complete authority to hire Fratello, just as he did when hiring Brown. ``I hardly made my high school basketball team,'' Heisley said. ``I don't think I would be comfortable lecturing Jerry on my basketball acumen.'' Copyright 2007 - MOP Squad Sports Top of Page