Sports

Exclusive: Former Memphis Tigers strength coach Robb Hornett joining Grizzlies, per sources

Nairavoice · Sep 9, 2026 · 1 min read

The Memphis Grizzlies are hiring Robb Hornett as their head strength and conditioning coach, multiple sources with direct knowledge told The Commercial Appeal.

The sources were granted anonymity because no official announcement has been made.

Hornett joins the Grizzlies after serving as the director of athletic performance for Olympic sports at Liberty University since June 2022.

Hornett was the Memphis Tigers men’s basketball strength and conditioning coach during the 2021-22 season before leaving for Liberty.

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Hornett also has a connection with new Grizzlies head of player health and performance Mike Curtis. Before a stint with the Golden State Warriors, Hornett worked at Virginia from 2014-17 as an assistant strength and conditioning coach for the basketball programs. Curtis spent 17 seasons at Virginia as the head strength and conditioning coach for men’s basketball.

Hornett is the latest hire in a series of moves the Grizzlies have made while overhauling their training and medical staff following an injury-riddled 2025-26 season.

Curtis was hired in June to lead the Grizzlies’ player health and performance staff.

The Grizzlies also recently parted ways with former sports medicine partner OrthoSouth and announced a new partnership with Campbell Clinic.

Memphis has overhauled its roster, too. Many of the mainstays from the previous core are gone, leaving GG Jackson, 21, as the team’s longest-tenured player entering his fourth season.

The Grizzlies will begin preseason play Oct. 5 against the Atlanta Hawks. The regular season begins at home Oct. 21 against the Utah Jazz.

Damichael Cole is the Memphis Grizzlies beat writer for The Commercial Appeal. Contact Damichael at damichael.cole@commercialappeal.com. Follow Damichael on X, formerly known as Twitter, @DamichaelC.

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