ESPN reports
Avery Johnson has turned down the chance to make a swift return to an NBA bench with the Memphis Grizzlies.
NBA coaching sources told ESPN.com on Friday that the former Dallas Mavericks coach was offered a five-year contract by the Grizzlies to replace Marc Iavaroni, who was fired late Thursday after 1½ seasons in Memphis.
Johnson, though, elected to pass on an in-season comeback, preferring to remain in his new role as a studio analyst for ESPN.
“I’ve said all along [that] at the right time and in the right situation, I will coach again,” Johnson said Friday. “I am enjoying my time at ESPN and with my family. I think an awful lot of [Grizzlies owner] Michael Heisley and [general manager] Chris Wallace. I wish the Grizzlies the very best.
Smart man – This Memphis job is the type that can destroy a coach’s entire career.
I don’t see Avery taking over any club that doesn’t have a good shot at being over .600 his first year out.
Posted on January 23, 2009 by Dave