On Wednesday, WCCO confirmed that Thibodeau and the Wolves finalized a contract for Thibs to become the new President of Basketball Operations and head coach for the team. And for good reason. The on-court pieces are there – man-children Karl-Anthony Towns and Andrew Wiggins look like annual entries to the All-Star Game – but this year’s 29-53 record, among the worst in the National Basketball Association, showed the team has a lot to figure out before that happens.
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Thibodeau had a very successful run as head coach of the Chicago Bulls for five seasons, with a 255-139 regular season record (.647 winning percentage) and at least one playoff series win three times. His resume is a lengthy one.
Thibodeau was an assistant coach with the Knicks from 1996-2003.
Thibodeau was given both roles and will make the decision on whether to keep Newton in a supporting position. He also served previously as GM of the Utah Jazz and New York Knicks. San Antonio Spurs assistant general manager Scott Layden will reportedly join the Timberwolves as general manager.
Former Chicago Bulls head coach Tom Thibodeau is heading to Minnesota.
His first National Basketball Association coaching job was in Minnesota as an assistant to Bill Musselman in the Wolves’ expansion season of 1989 – 1990.
With already established experience in the National Basketball Association, those are nothing but positives for Minnesota.
One of the NBA’s most revered defensive minds is close to heading to one of the teams that needs him the most.
Minnesota hasn’t traditionally been a team to attract big-name coaches, big-name front office executives or big-name free agents, so this is a breath of fresh air for Wolves fans.
He was sacked last season after clashing with management over his hard-driving style.
The Wolves chose Thibodeau, 58, over fellow finalist and ESPN analyst Jeff Van Gundy, who remains a co-favorite alongside former Oklahoma City Thunder coach Scotty Brooks for the Houston Rockets’ coaching vacancy. He spent five years with Bulls and helped make them an Eastern Conference contender.
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There’s talent to work with and develop in Minnesota, and with the league’s salary cap exploding in the next two seasons, the Wolves will have cap space to bring in veterans.
