After the Grizzlies began the 2009-10 season with an 11-30 record, the team fired head coach Marc Iavaroni on January 23, 2009.ESPN.com: Grizzlies Fire Iavaroni After 11-30 Start News agencies also reported that former head coach Avery Johnson turned down an offer to coach the Grizzlies. Johnson was the former head coach of the Dallas Mavericks and is currently a basketball analyst for ESPN network. ESPN.com: Sources: Johnson turns down Grizzlies (January 23, 2009)

On January 24, 2009, news agencies reported that former Grizzlies coach Lionel Hollins will take over head coaching duties for the team. It is Hollins third time as head coach for the Grizzlies.NBA.com: Bucks assistant to take Grizzlies' job (January 24, 2009)

After the NBA lockout in 1998-99, home attendance for the Grizzlies began to slide and the team owners were losing money. The team was purchased by Michael Heisley in 2000 and moved to Memphis prior to the 2001-02 NBA season. The Grizzlies have made the playoffs three times in franchise history (2004, 2005, 2006), but have not won a single playoff game. This makes them 0-12 in playoff games.