Former Dakota Wizards Coach Dave Joerger An NBA Head Coaching Candidate?

Depends on who they sign. If they stay young, I like picking a young coach that can grow with them. Dave Joerger, an assistant with the Memphis Grizzlies, would be great.

This was ESPN's David Thorpe's response during a chat yesterday when asked who would be the perfect head coach for the New Jersey Nets.

I'll concur.

Living in North Dakota for much of my life and being the minor league basketball junkie that I am, I'm rather familiar with the coaching credentials of Joerger - he's won five minor league titles, earned three coach of the year honors and was the head coach of the winning team in perhaps the greatest basketball moment I've ever watched live (above - and you're lying if that doesn't give you goosebumps).

With the Dakota Wizards (five of his seven minor league head coaching seasons were spent in Bismarck), he was the head coach when the following players received an NBA call-up: Oliver Miller, Rodney Buford, Maurice Carter, Kaniel Dickens, Eddie Gill, Sean Lampley, Oliver Miller again, Billy Thomas, Maurice Baker, Renaldo Major, Justin Williams, Melvin Sanders and Junior Harrington.  I don't believe there's another coach that can boast a tangible list of players he's developed quite like Joerger can - especially in such a short span and all before turning 35.

Don't fret, though - as the multiple championships will tell you, he's just as good with the X's and O's as he is at developing talent.  He's also been handed the keys to the Grizzlies during the past two Vegas Summer League's, giving him quality experience as a head coach with NBA players as well.

Let it be known that when Joerger finally gets an NBA heading coach gig, it'll be the happiest I've ever been for a call-up.