Born in Los Angeles, Fizdale attended Fremont High School in Los Angeles, where he played as a point guard for the school's basketball team.[1] He subsequently attended college at the University of San Diego, where he graduated with a B.A. in communications and a minor in sociology. During his senior year, he was also named a member of the All-WCC Team. After a couple years removed from graduating, Fizdale would begin his coaching career by first being an assistant coach for his alma mater from 1998 until 2002 before joining Fresno State University as an assistant coach there for a couple of seasons afterward.
On May 29, 2016, Fizdale was named as the head coach of the Memphis Grizzlies.[3] He led the Grizzlies to a 43–39 record in the 2016–17 season, reaching the Western Conference playoffs. After a 7–12 start to the 2017–18 season, including eight consecutive losses, and a publicized fourth-quarter benching of Marc Gasol, Fizdale was fired from the team on November 27, 2017.[4]
On May 7, 2018, Fizdale was named as the head coach of the New York Knicks signing a four-year deal with the organization.[5] On December 6, 2019, he was fired by the Knicks after a 4–18 start to their season.[6][7]
On September 15, 2021, Fizdale was hired by the Los Angeles Lakers as an assistant coach.[8]
On June 29, 2022, Fizdale was hired as the associate general manager for the Utah Jazz.[9]
On June 21, 2023, Fizdale was hired by the Phoenix Suns as an assistant coach.[10] Fizdale would later get removed from the team's coaching staff on May 12, 2024, alongside the rest of Frank Vogel's coaching staff following their hiring of new head coach Mike Budenholzer.[11] However, after an attempt to promote him into a front office position later in the month,[12] as well as receive interest in joining the Chicago Bulls,[13] Fizdale was reported to return to his role as an assistant coach for the Phoenix Suns on May 29.[14] His return to the Suns would be made official on August 6.[15]
Fizdale is married to marketer Natasha Sen[16] and has one son from a prior relationship.[17]
Natasha's birth father is Roy Singer and he lives in Australia. Natasha was born in Delhi, India and her mother is Samira Sen, who lives in Canada.
