Wolves Press Clippings

Wolves Press Clippings

The Tom Thibodeau File

Age: 58

College: Salem State

As NBA assistant coach: His first NBA job was an assistant job with the expansion Timberwolves (1989-1992). From there: San Antonio (1992-1994), Philadelphia (1994-96), Knicks (1994-2004), Houston (2004-07) and Boston (2007-2010). He was a defensive specialist coach with the Celtics when Kevin Garnett & Co. won it all in 2008.

As NBA head coach: Five seasons with Chicago Bulls (from 2010-11 to 2014-15), leading them to the playoffs each season. Overall record: 255-139.

First season as a head coach: 2010-11 Coach of the Year.

Second season: He became the fastest coach in history to earn 100 victories and finished as the runner-up for Coach of the Year.

His trademark: He’s considered one of the best coaches of defense in the NBA.

College days: The 6-2 guard played at Salem State and was team captain during the 1980-81 season when the Vikings made their second-consecutive Division III national tournament for the first time. Upon graduating, he became an assistant coach and three years later, at the age of 25, the head coach. After one season, he took an assistant job at Harvard, where he spent the next four seasons.

Notable quote from his past: “Practice is important. The regular season is important. Your meetings are important. Your walk-through is important. Everything is important. You want to be a championship team, there’s a price to pay. And that’s what you have to do. There’s no shortcuts. You can’t shortcut your way to success. … The guys who take shortcuts, who aren’t ready, they fail when their opportunity comes.”

Wolves Press Clippings

The Timberwolves’ search for a new president of basketball operations and head coach was swift and brought in Tom Thibodeau.

A week after the season ended, the Wolves signed Thibodeau, the former Chicago Bulls coach, to fill both the top management and coaching roles in Minnesota, the team confirmed Wednesday evening.

“Through the process, we quickly identified Tom as the best leader to shape our talented team and help them realize their full potential,” owner Glen Taylor said in a statement.

The Wolves also signed San Antonio Spurs assistant general manager Scott Layden, who was in the front offices of the Utah Jazz and New York Knicks during his 30-year career.

“In getting to know Scott, he has impressed me with not only his basketball acumen, but also his character and integrity,” Taylor said. “Tom and Scott will work in concert together in shaping our roster moving forward. We are confident this partnership gives us the best chance possible of winning an NBA title.”

Thibodeau’s deal could be worth about $8 million per year for five years, with Layden receiving more than $2 million, according to ESPN.

“I started my NBA career with the Minnesota Timberwolves and it is an incredible opportunity to rejoin the organization at a time when they have what I believe to be the best young roster in the NBA,” Thibodeau said in a statement. “Together with a great owner in Glen Taylor and a terrific basketball partner in Scott Layden, I look forward to building a winning culture that Minnesota sports fans can be proud of.”

Thibodeau, 58, took the Bulls to the playoffs in five consecutive seasons from 2011-15, including the Eastern Conference finals in 2011 and the semifinals in 2013 and 2015. He won NBA coach of the year during his first season as head coach in 2010-11 but was fired last May after reported issues with the Bulls brass.

Thibodeau’s 65 percent winning percentage is sixth-best all time in the NBA with a minimum of five seasons, according to ESPN Stats and Info.

“Tom’s resume speaks for itself,” Taylor said. “He is a proven winner, leader and one of the most well-respected NBA head coaches over the last decade.”

Thibodeau spent 20 years as an assistant coach, including the Wolves’ first two seasons as an expansion franchise from 1989-91, before being promoted by Chicago. He was associate head coach under Doc Rivers when the Boston Celtics won the 2008 NBA title behind the on-court leadership of Kevin Garnett, now back with the Wolves.

Taylor announced the search last Wednesday after interim head coach Sam Mitchell led Minnesota to a 29-53 season. Taylor said he and search firm Korn Ferry would exclusively seek candidates outside the organization.

Taylor, who turned 75 Wednesday, sought a leader to fill the roles vacated by Flip Saunders, who died three days before the season started in October.

The Wolves reportedly interviewed ESPN analysts Jeff Van Gundy and Mark Jackson. They didn’t wait until Memphis coach Dave Joerger might have become available for an interview once the Grizzlies playoff run ends this spring. Joerger, a Staples, Minn., native, was a Saunders candidate to replace retired coach Rick Adelman during the summer of 2014.

General manager Milt Newton, who worked under Saunders and had been retained by Taylor, could continue with the organization.

The Wolves’ sought-after leadership position is because they have 2014-15 rookie of the year Andrew Wiggins and presumptive 2015-16 rookie of the year Karl-Anthony Towns. They also have promising young players in Zach LaVine, Gorgui Dieng and Shabazz Muhammad.

The Wolves, however, have missed the playoffs for 12 consecutive seasons, which matches the NBA’s worst mark since the playoffs expanded in 1984.

After a 62-20 season with the Bulls in 2010-11, Thibodeau’s Bulls were bounced from the playoffs in the first round the following season and again in 2013-14. Thibodeau is considered a hard-charging, defensive-oriented coach. He is also an assistant with USA Basketball men’s national team.

“His teams have annually been among the league leaders in defense and we are excited about the approach and mentality he brings to that side of the ball,” Taylor said. “The future of the Minnesota Timberwolves has never been brighter and we are very pleased to have Tom as our basketball operations leader moving forward.”