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Memphis Grizzlies President of Basketball Operations Jerry West today announced that NBA veteran coach Mike Fratello has been named the Grizzlies seventh head coach in team history.

“We are very excited to have the opportunity to have one of the NBA’s most outstanding coaches join our team, our city and our franchise,” said Grizzlies President of Basketball Operations Jerry West. “Mike is a winner, and is not only committed to the future of this organization, but as a disciple of Hubie Brown, he will continue the spirit, energy and respect that this team has earned under Hubie’s leadership.”

Fratello, 57, joins the Grizzlies as one of the NBA’s most successful coaches in history, ranking 19th on the all-time wins list (572) and 21st on the all-time games coached list (1,037). A 13-year coaching veteran, he has compiled a 572-465 (.552) overall NBA record, qualifying for the NBA playoffs in nine of his 13 seasons as a head coach (20-34), with an all-time playoff record of 20-34.

“I am thankful for this opportunity to join the Grizzlies organization,” said Mike Fratello. “I want to especially thank Michael Heisley, Jerry West and Dick Versace for taking the time to meet with me, get to know me and allow me to be a part of this organization. Following in the footsteps of the NBA’s Coach of the Year, Hubie Brown, is an honor, and I will be forever indebted to him for the opportunities he provided and groundwork he laid for my future with this team. I look forward to getting a feel for the players, both individually and as a team, as soon as possible so we can move forward and have a successful season.”

He began his NBA coaching career as an assistant coach with the Atlanta Hawks (1978-82), before stepping into his first head coaching role when he and Brendan Suhr were named co-interim head coaches of the Hawks, replacing Hubie Brown 79 games into the 1980-81 season. In 1982, he joined the New York Knicks as an assistant coach for one season (1982-83) before returning to the Hawks as head coach in 1983 to lead Atlanta for seven seasons. During his seven-year stint, he compiled a 324-250 winning record (.564), advancing to the playoffs in five seasons, including leading the Hawks to a Central Division title in 1987. His 324 regular season victories, 18 postseason wins and 577 games coached rank second among Hawks all-time franchise coaching lists. He set a franchise record for winning at least 50 games in four consecutive seasons (1985-89), earning 1986 NBA Coach of the Year honors after leading the Hawks to a 50-32 record.

In 1990, he left the sidelines to join the broadcasting booth for the first time in his career when he signed on to cover the NBA on NBC Sports for three seasons (1990-93).

In 1993, he returned to the coaching ranks to lead the Cleveland Cavaliers, compiling a 248-212 regular season record and guiding his team to four post-season appearances during his six-year stint (1993-99). His 248 victories rank third on Cleveland’s all-time list.

After six seasons with Cleveland, Fratello resumed his broadcasting career, joining Turner Sports in 1999 where he has served as a broadcaster for NBA basketball for the past six years. Partnered with Marv Albert and Steve Kerr for TNT’s Thursday Night NBA coverage, he also served as an NBA analyst during the playoffs from 1994-1996. In addition, he has served as a television analyst for the Miami HEAT broadcast team for the past three seasons.

Fratello’s coaching career began in 1969 as a coach for basketball and football at Hackensack High School in Hackensack, New Jersey. His resume also includes stints as an assistant coach at the University of Rhode Island (1970-72), James Madison University (1972-75) and as an assistant at Villanova University (1975-78). The “Czar” is actively involved in community outreach, establishing the Friends of Fratello Foundation in 1986.