by Charlie O. Mallonee

SACRAMENTO–The Sacramento Kings have reached agreement with former Memphis Grizzlies head coach Dave Joerger to become the new head coach of the Kings. Joerger was fired by Memphis on Saturday.

According to reports, the Kings sent a private jet to fly Joerger and his family to Sacramento. Joerger met with vice president and general manager Vlade Divac on Sunday and with owner Vivek Ranadive on Monday.

The contract is supposedly a three-year deal worth $12 million. There is reportedly a team option for a fourth year worth an additional $4 million.

“I am thrilled to welcome Dave to the Sacramento Kings,” said Divac. “He is a strong and passionate leader with a proven track record of producing results. Dave shares our focus on creating a long-term culture of winning and I look forward to a bright future ahead for the Kings with his leadership on the court.”

Joerger was the head coach in Memphis for three seasons. His teams were known for their tenacious, physical defense that would break down the opposition. Based on past track records, Joerger is a 180-degree opposite in coaching style from George Karl. Expect Joerger to be a defense first type coach.

Joerger has been coaching professionally since 1997. He paid his dues coaching in the minor leagues in the International Basketball Association, the Continental Basketball Association and the NBA Development League. Joerger spent six seasons as an assistant coach in Memphis working primarily as a defensive specialist before ascending to the head coaching position.

The Kings Rudy Gay played for Memphis when Joerger was an assistant for the Grizzlies.

Joerger posted a record of 147-99 in his three seasons as head coach in Memphis. His teams made the playoffs all three seasons. The team’s best playoff finish was when they made it into the conference semi-finals in 2015.