According to Adrian Wojnarowski, Timberwolves assistant coach Sam Mitchell is expected to be named interim head coach while Flip Saunders battles cancer.
Advertisement
On August 11, the Timberwolves informed fans and media that Saunders had been undergoing chemotherapy for a “very treatable” form of Hodgkin’s lymphoma.
The rest of the Wolves coaching staff includes Ryan Saunders (Flip’s son) and recently hired Bryan Gates.
Saunders took over as team president in 2013 and replaced Rick Adelman as head coach last seeason.
As a player, Mitchell spent 10 seasons with the Timberwolves and seven under the direction of Saunders. Mitchell racked up a 156-189 head coaching record with the Toronto Raptors from 2004-08.
Saunders is hoping to return to the sidelines at some point this upcoming season, but Mitchell taking over the interim duties will give the longtime headmaster time to focus on his health and get better before coaching again full time.
Advertisement
The Timberwolves announced Thursday that they are holding a 10 a.m. news conference on Friday to make a “major announcement”, but didn’t release any further details.
