THE REMARKER • MARCH 6, 2020
PAGES
SPORTS
24,25 HEAD COACH
The man at the helm
IN THEIR OW N WORDS
Taylor Jenkins ’03 returns to the arena he watched countless basketball games in growing up, this time on the sideline as one of only thirty men leading an NBA squad.
T
aylor Jenkins ’03 finds himself with his head down, disappointed, with that how-did-we-letthat-slip-away feeling as he plods off the court in frustration as the top assistant coach for the Milwaukee Bucks after game three of the 2018-19 Eastern Conference finals. Laser-focused, he’s already thinking about what went wrong, planning for every adjustment the team needs make heading into game four, thinking about any way to slow down Toronto Raptors forward Kawhi Leonard, as he heads into the tunnel and into the visitor’s locker room at Scotiabank Arena, the home of the Raptors. Looking ahead, he knows that after decisively winning games one and two, the Milwaukee Bucks are still in the driver’s seat though, up two games to one and with home court advantage. Out of the blue, his iPhone rings. He picks up. It’s his agent. But he wasn’t expecting a call from his agent. The Bucks are in the middle of a championship push. Why would his agent be calling? Suddenly, he can’t focus. He just learned the Memphis Grizzlies are eying him for their open head coaching position –– one of only 30 in the National Basketball Association. Less than one month later, after an extensive interview process, Jenkins gets the call from the Grizzlies –– the one he’d dreamed about receiving his entire life. On that call, he would learn he’d been chosen to be the man at the helm in Memphis. “I broke down in tears... and I was in shock,” Jenkins said. ••• Just eight months after that phone call with his agent, Memphis Grizzlies Head Coach Taylor Jenkins is receiving serious Coach of the Year consideration in just his first season as an NBA head coach, catching the eye of many around the league. He has a young but talented Memphis team in prime position to push for the playoffs in the Western Conference, a group that is considerably outperforming expectations heading into the season. The Grizzlies are widely-considered to be the biggest surprise in the 201920 NBA season. In a season which shaped up to be a rebuilding year following the trades of longtime franchise cornerstones Mike Conley and Marc Gasol, the Memphis Grizzlies, led by Rookie of the Year candidate Ja Morant and second-year forward Jaren Jackson Jr., currently hold
the eighth seed in the Western Conference. “Our goal has always been to build something,” Jenkins said. “We don’t like the phrase rebuilding here. The number one thing is we want to build a competitive environment. Every day when these guys come into the gym and come into these arenas, they’re playing to win. They’re playing to win the shooting game, they’re playing to win the free throw shooting game, and they’re playing to win the defensive drill that we do in practice. Our three tenets are competing, together and getting better. That was my goal year one, and that’s going to be my goal year ten.” Jenkins endured a back and forth interview process with the Grizzlies, which included multiple sit-down meetings with the general manager as well as the presidents of the franchise in which he presented a packet he put together about himself. “[The packet] was a great exercise for me to put all my philosophies down, what my core beliefs were, what I wanted to build here in Memphis on and off the court,” Jenkins said. “Everything from how we handle practices, how we utilize analytics, how we utilize our medical team, to how we organize fun activities.” For Jenkins, while the extensive preparation for these high-stakes, face-to-face meetings was the biggest key, the importance of having confidence in what he believed in cannot be overstated. “I always say I could talk about basketball for hours, so being able to sit in a room, trying to shake off the nerves and just go in there with confidence and talk about what I believe in and then why I think I can help the Grizzlies build something special for the future was the fun part about it,” Jenkins said. Jenkins garnered national attention early into his tenure in Memphis for leading the Grizzlies to a championship in the NBA’s 2019 Las Vegas Summer League, helping establish a winning culture from day one. Sixty-one games into his inaugural season as an NBA head coach, everything about the position he’s in as one of only 30 men in the world leading an NBA
squad still hasn’t sunk in for Jenkins. “I just focus on coaching basketball trying to help these players, these coaches, everyone get better and try to build for the future and recognize this great responsibility that I have,” Jenkins said. “I definitely celebrated with my family but I was ready to roll up my sleeves and dive in, evaluating the draft, free agency, hiring a coaching staff, making sure I’m on the same page as the front office and medical staff.” In the 2018-19 season with the Milwaukee Bucks, Jenkins was the right hand man for head coach Mike Budenholzer, who would go on to win the season’s Coach of the Year award. Just one season after, Jenkins, now a candidate for the award himself, credits former coaches and mentors such as Budenholzer for preparing him to handle the head coaching responsibility. “A head coaching job is 365 [days a year], there’s always something to do, but all the experiences I had from the D-League [now the G-League] working with Coach Bud and the great staff that he’s had in Atlanta and Milwaukee has prepared me for this,” Jenkins said. “I got to figure out what my own coaching style was and my coaching voice and hit the ground running –– and to do what I love. You just rely on the preparation and the love of the game, and that puts you in a position to handle whatever is thrown at you as a head coach.” As a D-League assistant and head coach in San Antonio and assistant coach with the Atlanta Hawks and Milwaukee Bucks, Jenkins stayed patient, believing his time would ultimately come as a head coach if he remained passionate about the game he loves. “I never just said, ‘I’ve got to be a head coach by this time,’” Jenkins said. “Same thing applied when I was in the D-League, I was an assistant for four years, became the head coach in my fifth year [with the Austin Toros] and I said, ‘I’ll be here for ten years if it just gives me a great opportunity to learn and coach the game that I love and whatever happens, happens,’ but the fact that it happened so soon definitely put me to the test. I asked myself, ‘Am I ready for this world?’ And it was a quick ‘yes.’” Going from working in the front office of the San
Jenkins’ time at 10600 Preston Road Varsity basketball captain, 11, 12
The ReMarker sports editor, 12 Varsity baseball captain, 12 School Flag, 12 Tom Adams Athletic Plaque, 12 McDonald’s Week Chair, 11 Community Service Chair, 12
walk out of the tunnel –– take the path numerous NBA legends take onto the court –– as if I’m one of them. After the countless games I’ve watched from the stands, I now stand midcourt at the American Airlines Center (AAC). I’m immersed in the Memphis Grizzlies shootaround –– with the most talented basketball players in the world –– the morning of their game Feb. 5 versus the Dallas Mavericks, the team I’ve grown up loving. Four staff members and I just finish meeting Memphis Grizzlies Head Coach Taylor Jenkins ’03, who has generously provided us with this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Shootaround begins to wrap up, with players heading for the tunnel. I semipanic, knowing that if I am going to fulfill my dream of interviewing an NBA player, now is the time. I’ve grown up admiring the work of famous NBA reporters but now the floor is all mine. But what if he blows me off because I’m in high school? What if he doesn’t have time? What if…?
Nerves on edge, I take a leap of faith, students) make a beeline for the Grizzlies’ knowing this may be the last time I’m ever locker room. We quietly enter, not trying presented with this opportunity. to be disruptive, and I feel a firm pat on “Brandon, I’m William and I go to my back. Coach Jenkins’ high school… do you have Immediately, I take a quick glance back a minute to answer a few questions?” and it’s Coach Jenkins, and suddenly I’m There I am, face-to-face with Grizzlies starting to feel comfortable inside an NBA rookie forward Brandon Clarke, who I’ve locker room, not out of place. watched play countless times on TV at Pregame hip-hop music fills the Gonzaga. room. The lockers, the “We have to leave,” Clarke “Beale Street Blue” Nike says. jerseys, the custom kicks, I get that lump in my throat, the Gatorade refrigerator, and my heart drops. I’m the training tables, devastated. players watching film, “But walk with me.” the whiteboard with the My eyes light up, I break Grizzlies’ game plan –– I a smile –– it’s impossible witness it all. William Aniol not to. I’m having a genuine I hear players’ unfiltered, Sports editor conversation with an NBA casual conversations, player. offering a totally different perspective Seven hours later, I’m back, this time for of what the league is truly all about. The the game. game extends so far beyond basketball, We pick up our media credentials and highlighted by the camaraderie and head down to the back tunnels of the brotherhood alive in the locker room, arena. It only takes a minute before arena something I couldn’t wrap my head employees stop us; I can feel the looks of around until experiencing it first-hand. confusion on their faces as we (high school It’s about building relationships on and
off the court and at the end of the day, just having fun. We watch the game in the press box, alongside various Mavericks beat writers, all whom I immediately recognize. The game gets out of hand late in favor of the Grizzlies, who win 121-107, so we head back down to the ground level. We attend Jenkins’ postgame press conference, dead center in the typical, hectic NBA media scrum. This time around, I approach players with an I’m-on-top-of-the-world type of confidence owing to my successes at shootaround. And there is Tim MacMahon, the ESPN NBA reporter I’ve long looked up to, alongside me interviewing players. We’re both just doing our jobs. As I walk out of the visitor’s locker room at the AAC, trying to soak in every last second I can, I secure a fist bump from rookie sensation Ja Morant and begin to reflect on everything –– realizing I got just a glimpse of what may be to come. Who knows, maybe one day I’ll be back in that locker room and on that court doing this again…but for a living.
Grizzlies players speak to the impact head coach Taylor Jenkins ’03 has had early into his tenure in Memphis.
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He’s like a coach and a brother to me. He’s inspiring. He’s always got our back like we got his, and he’s preaching the right things. I feel like he’s one of us and has the same mindset as us to go out and compete and be unselfish.”
point guard Ja Morant
“ POSTGAME Taylor Jenkins ’03, sporting his Lion tie, takes questions from reporters about his team’s performance.
From watching in the stands to interviewing on the court: inside the NBA as a high school journalist
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SHOOTING HOOPS Grizzlies forward Kyle Anderson shoots free throws alongside teammates at the team’s shootaround in the American Airlines Center.
ON THE SIDELINE Taylor Jenkins ’03, named Western Conference Coach of the Month for January, walks through his game plan for the Dallas Mavericks at shootaround the morning of Feb. 5. The Grizzlies would go on to defeat the Mavericks 121-107 that night.
Antonio Spurs organization right into coaching was I push them to grow this thing,” Jenkins said. definitely a risk, especially for someone who did not “Hopefully, five years from now we’ve still got our play basketball past high school, a rarity in today’s main tenets of how we want to play on both ends NBA. so we’ve morphed and we’ve evolved as these guys “In this business, not many people go from the have evolved and new personnel comes in or new front office into coaching, let alone someone like me, trends in the NBA show up and at the end of day, I’m because I didn’t coach or work in college basketball,” always believer in challenging the status quo.” Jenkins said. “So I didn’t have those experiences. More people go from coaching to the front office side. Jenkins was back in his hometown arena –– the So for me, I give so much credit to the people that I American Airlines Center –– for the first time Feb. 5 work for, because they gave me the opportunity, and as an NBA head coach facing the Dallas Mavericks, the faith they had to me to give me that first look.” the team he grew up watching as a boy at 10600 While Jenkins’ route to the NBA sideline wasn’t Preston Road. a typical one, he believes that his non-traditional He was even a Mavericks season ticket holder, route truly did prepare him to excel on the biggest looking down on the court almost every home game. stage in basketball. Now, he’s on that court, glancing up at where he “I always say my D-League experiences, really used to sit and trying to beat the rival Mavericks. helped prepare me for the NBA because Coach The Grizzlies decisively defeated the Mavericks Budenholzer took me to another 121-107 powered by Ja Morant’s level,” Jenkins said. “Whatever 21-point night, as Memphis earned an responsibilities come across my WE’RE GOING TO HAVE OUR important victory that put the team desk, I take it to the nth degree, over a .500 winning percentage. COACHING BATTLES FOR SURE, working hard. And then from During the contest, Jenkins BUT THAT RESPECT WE HAVE IS donned a light purple Lions tie. He that, I’m able to communicate and teach.” SPECIAL, AND IT’S A SPECIAL received it as a gift that night before In Memphis, Jenkins has the game, and he decided to wear it BOND AS A COACH. incorporated offensive and to show off his pride for alma mater, — TAYLOR JENKINS ’03 defensive schemes from coaches calling it his “good luck charm” he’s worked under, including postgame. those from Spurs legend Gregg Popovich, the longest “Coach [Scott] Jolly gave this to me right before tenured head coach in the NBA. the game,” Jenkins said. “I’ve got to rep my St. “That’s the beauty of coaching and the game Mark’s pride, I love the tie, and [St. Mark’s] is a very of basketball, especially as you’re watching so special place to me.” much film with other teams –– you’re picking up Jenkins took the special night of Feb. 5 as an what other teams are doing well,” Jenkins said. opportunity to show his appreciation for all who set “Growing up in the Spurs organization, so many him up for his career, from teachers and mentors to of their foundational tenets on the offensive end family members and those closest to him. and defensive end I carry with me, but the game “I had over 60 people here tonight that have has changed since I first started the business, the been very impactful in my life,” Jenkins said, “from personnel has changed, going to Atlanta, we took so my family and friends to members of the St. Mark’s many of those tenets with us.” community that pushed me to be the best that I can As he’s moved around to different organizations, be in my life. I always stand by the fact that it’s not Jenkins has come to realize just how different about me. It’s about the people that mean so much to personnel can be in one situation from the next. me and to be able to high-five them, hug them and He understands that as a head coach, it’s his kiss them after the game. I get to show them that they responsibility to adapt and put his players in the best made a huge difference in my life and that’s pretty positions to succeed on the court based on each one’s special.” unique skill set. As a head coach in the NBA, Jenkins is part “[I determine] how to utilize our players to play of a truly exclusive club with only 29 other active to their strengths,” Jenkins said. “There’s a system, members. He embraces the competition against but it has to be malleable where you can change it fellow competitors and basketball legends on the based on your personnel. That’s the fun challenge as court, but is able to develop meaningful relationships a coach, you’re constantly setting your players where with coaches across the league off the court. they succeed and not losing sight of ultimately how “At the end of the day, to be able to go up and you want to play on both ends of the floor, because go toe-to-toe and still have great relationships with you’ve got to have some sense of accountability and people you’re competing against is special because responsibility.” I know I have so many friends,” Jenkins said. “So Working with professional athletes forces many of my assistants and other coaches in the Jenkins to be his best, to be on his toes, and to change league are friends of mine. It’s a special fraternity as his strategy as his team dynamic evolves. coaches in this league.” “But [our players] push me just as much as
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STORY William Aniol, Jack Davis, Aaron Thorne PHOTOS Sam Ahmed, William Aniol
I’d say it starts with having him as my coach in the Summer League just getting that first feel with him as a coach. He’s just a really awesome player’s coach and he’s also young too so I feel that he fits our team really well.”
forward Brandon Clarke
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He frees all the players, he expands each individual role so we can be the best versions of ourselves. That’s what I like about him, letting players be themselves. He knows the players. He’s not trying to make players do what they are not supposed to be doing.”
center Jonas Valančiūnas
“ By the numbers
30-31
the Grizzlies’ record through 61 games
8th
the Grizzlies’ current seed in the Western Conference as of March 3
25.5
Caesars Palace Sportsbook’s preseason Grizzlies over/under win total
Me and him have a different relationship. We had so many conversations to understand each other that made me have faith and him have faith in me and we opened that connection. I can get emotional and get out of wack but he somehow finds a way to reel me back in and play basketball the right way.”
guard Dillon Brooks
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This is his first time at the job and he’s been learning and growing on the fly all year. He knows how to control the room. When he speaks, we all listen. We follow his lead. He’s an easy coach to go out there and want to play for.”
point guard Tyus Jones
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He’s always thinking ahead is always analyzing and reanalyzing stuff to put us in the best possible position to win each game. We hold our standards high, so when we match those standards or succeed those standards, we tend to win games.”
g u a r d D e ’A n t h o n y Melton
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I feel like the whole organization, top to bottom, pays close attention to detail, and that’s one of the most important things. Here in Memphis as a young guy, you got all the tools you need to be successful, so Taylor has been great for me.”
forward Josh Jackson
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We’ve got a tight relationship on and off the court. The first week after signing us, he reached out to everyone, had a meal with us, talked with us. He rides for us every day and he’s pretty cool to be around.”
forward Kyle Anderson
HEADSHOTS COURTESY JOE MURPHY OF NBA PHOTOS & GETTY IMAGES