In this Nov. 2, 2014, file photo, Miami Heat assistant coach David Fizdale gestures during the team's NBA basketball game against the Toronto Raptors in Miami. The Grizzlies agreed to a four-year contract with Fizdale on Thursday, a source confirmed to The Commercial Appeal. (AP Photo/Joel Auerbach, File)

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By Ronald Tillery of The Commercial Appeal

One of the stories told about David Fizdale revolves around the day he got into a shouting match with Miami Heat star Dwyane Wade.

Fizdale was a young assistant coach emphatically challenging an established NBA superstar. That 2008 conversation turned out to be a constructive one about basketball strategy, earning Fizdale respect. After 13 years as an assistant, Fizdale agreed Thursday to lead the Grizzlies’ veteran core.

Fizdale accepted a four-year deal to become the Grizzlies’ eighth head coach in Memphis, a source confirmed to The Commercial Appeal. The fourth year is a team option. Fizdale, who replaces recently fired Dave Joerger, brings a reputation of being a strong communicator, in addition to having a talented offensive mind and a passion about player development.

Financial terms of Fizdale’s deal weren’t immediately known. Fizdale, 41, spent the past eight seasons as an assistant coach for the Miami Heat. He also has been an assistant for Golden State and Atlanta.

Fizdale emerged as a clear choice after the Grizzlies initially pursued former Indiana Pacers coach Frank Vogel. Memphis focused on Fizdale once Vogel spurned the franchise and accepted the head job with the Orlando Magic.

Griz brass invited Fizdale for a second interview and the deal was sealed after his meeting with team owner Robert Pera.

The Griz were in search of a high-character coach with an impressive basketball IQ and believe they found their man in Fizdale.

Communication is widely deemed Fizdale’s greatest strength.

“Fiz is a great basketball coach, a dear friend of mine,” Heat coach Erik Spoelstra recently told the Miami Herald. “He is a tremendous teacher of the game … a tremendous basketball mind.”

Fizdale and San Antonio Spurs assistant James Borrego were considered the two finalists after the Griz spoke with Lionel Hollins, Vogel and a total of five veteran assistant coaches. Griz management also was impressed with Charlotte assistant Patrick Ewing.

However, Fizdale checked more boxes for the Griz during their coaching search.

In addition to his basketball acumen, Fizdale is considered a grinder. He turned down opportunities to interview in Philadelphia and Portland for their head jobs to stay with Miami.

Those decisions speak to how highly sought Fizdale has been and how deliberate he’s approached coaching opportunities.

Fizdale is a Los Angeles native who attended the University of San Diego, where he played from 1992-96 and graduated with a B.A. in communications and a minor in sociology. He averaged 8.5 points, 5.4 assists and 2.5 rebounds in 84 games.

He was selected to the All-West Coast Conference team after his senior season in 1996. Fizdale began his coaching career with a four-year stint (1998-2002) as an assistant coach at his alma mater, the University of San Diego. His NBA coaching career started as an assistant coach with the Golden State Warriors for one season (2003-04).

Fizdale then spent four seasons (2004-08) as an assistant coach with the Atlanta Hawks where he played an instrumental role in the development of their young players.

This will be Fizdale’s first head coaching job.