Memphis Grizzlies coach David Fizdale recently sat down with Gary Washburn of the Boston Globe to talk about his road to the rank of head coach.

It certainly wasn't an easy task to accomplish, but Fizdale laughs about his circumstances when reflecting on when Miami Heat President Pat Riley didn't even know his name.

You know, there are not a lot of young African-American guys who come through the video room. I wanted to make sure I was one of those guys, not only to live up to that standard but almost make a breakthrough for young African-American men. There is a pathway for you through the video room as well but you have to be willing to do the work. Pat Riley didn’t even know my name in the first year. I was OK with that.

Fizdale gained enough knowledge and experience in his years of coaching under the Hawks and Heat, and they were all pushing for him to make it to higher ranks.

I was supposed to keep my mouth shut after I met with [Grizzlies owner] Robert Pera, and the next morning he called me and said we want to offer you the job. I told my wife and she was ecstatic. I hadn’t told anybody else but somehow it got out, so by the time I landed my phone went crazy. I just let it sit because I couldn’t keep up with the buzzing.

The first call I get was Dwyane Wade, Gabrielle Union, Chris Bosh, and Adrienne Bosh, all on vacation together. They were almost in tears for me on the phone. So when you get that kind of love from guys you spent so much time with, it gets to you.

He also received calls from LeBron James and Tyronn Lue to congratulate him on achieving his goal of obtaining a head coaching position. He knows he had people in his corner and certainly seems appreciative of the process.

I know a lot of people were rooting for me to get this job. I think the timing was right. The people were right. My mentors just told me to do my job that I have and don’t worry about what’s next and people will notice. And I really tried to pride myself on keeping my head down and grinding my way through this thing.

The Grizzlies will go into next season with high expectations regardless of how last year ended. Fizdale says he is up for the challenge and will hold his players to a high standard. He also says it's an opportunity to make a good team into a great team.

One of his fondest basketball memories came when playing at Fremont High school, and seeing a local  prospect that would later become an NBA Hall of Famer.

I remember I came back from college [at the University of San Diego] and I go in the gym and we’re playing and this kid is about 6-foot-6 but he looks like he’s about 10, baby-faced. He’s dominating the gym. And I was like, ‘Who is that kid?’ He was like 14 and it was Paul Pierce. I said, I’m sure I’m going to remember that name.

That was one of the greatest experiences for me, growing up in Los Angeles, in the basketball world. It was fantastic.

NBA basketball returns next month where Fizdale will make his debut.