Date: 4/20/2016
Outlet: WCCO
Author: Ryan Mayer
Thibodeau Finalizes Deal To Become Wolves’ New Head Coach
The Minnesota Timberwolves have been searching for their new head coach since the season ended with a 144-109 win over the Pelicans on April 14th. Rumors have connected them to ESPN color commentator Jeff Van Gundy, former Warriors coach Mark Jackson and former Bulls coach Tom Thibodeau.
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.
According to Woj, the San Antonio Spurs assistant general manager Scott Layden will also join the Timberwolves as the GM of the team.
Thibodeau started his coaching career in Minnesota back in the 1989-90 season as a part of Bill Musselman’s staff. After two years as an assistant in Minnesota, Thibs made stops in San Antonio, Philadelphia, New York, Houston, and Boston as an assistant before finally getting his chance as a head coach in Chicago in 2010-2011.
He would go on to coach the Bulls for five seasons, compiling a record of 255-139 reaching the playoffs in each of those five years in addition to being named NBA Coach of the Year in that first season.
Thibodeau will inherit a team that finished 29-53 this year, a 13 game improvement over their record in 2014-15. They won four of their final five games and have the presumptive NBA Rookie of the Year in Karl-Anthony Towns in addition to what will likely be a Top 10 pick. Financial terms of the deal haven’t been released as of yet.
Wolves Press Clippings
Date: 4/20/2016
Outlet: KSTP
Author: Scott Theisen
Timberwolves and Tom Thibodeau Agree to Terms on Head Coach Deal
The Minnesota Timberwolves have made former Chicago Bulls coach Tom Thibodeau the next head coach and president of basketball operations, according to a team release.
Team officials and Thibodeau negotiated a long-term deal that would pay about $10 million per year, a source tells KSTP's Darren Wolfson.
The Timberwolves have also hired Scott Layden as General Manager.
The Timberwolves looked to fill the head coach position after Sam Mitchell was relieved as interim head coach immediately after last Wednesday's season finale.
Mitchell took over as interim coach when Flip Saunders took a leave of absence for cancer treatment and later died last fall.
The 58-year-old Thibodeau was the 2011 NBA coach of the year. He coached the Chicago Bulls from 2010-2015. He has a career record of 255-139. He is 23-28 in the playoffs.
His 2010-11 Bulls team went 62-20. They lost in the Eastern Conference finals to the Miami Heat.
Thibodeau was an assistant with the Timberwolves from 1989-91.
He released the following statement Wednesday regarding his new position:
"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. 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 be proud of."
Wolves Press Clippings
Date: 4/21/2016
Outlet: Fox 9 News
Author: Lindsay LaBelle
Wolves hire Tom Thibodeau as head coach, president
The Minnesota Timberwolves announced Wednesday they've agreed on a deal to make Tom Thibodeau head coach and president of basketball operations. Thibodeau and Wolves owner Glen Taylor are reportedly working to finalize a 5-year, $10 million annual deal, ESPN’s Marc Stein reported.
The club also announced San Antonio Spurs assistant general manager Scott Layden will Thibodeau as his GM in Minnesota, replacing Milt Newton. They did not disclose the terms of the deal.
Taylor has been conducting interviews with assistance from executive search firm Korn Ferry. The Wolves fired interim head coach Sam Mitchell immediately after the last game of the season, and shortly thereafter he learned he wouldn’t be considered for the position. He coached the team to a 29-53 record after Flip Saunders passed away in October, a 13-game improvement over the 2014-15 Wolves.
Other teams, including the Houston Rockets, were reportedly interested Thibodeau as a coach, but he was pushing for control on the court and in the front office. That makes the other reported top Wolves candidate, Jeff Van Gundy, a prime option in Houston along with Scotty Brooks. Thibodeau began his coaching career with the Wolves during the 1989-90 expansion season under Bill Musselman. The Chicago Bulls fired him last May after alleged tension with the front office. He coached the Bulls to the playoffs in each of his five years with the team.
“We are extremely excited to welcome Tom Thibodeau back to the Timberwolves,” said Taylor. “Through this process we quickly identified Tom as the best leader to shape our talented team and help them realize their full potential. Tom’s resume speaks for itself. He is a proven winner, leader and one of the most well-respected NBA head coaches over the last decade. His teams have annually been among the league leaders in defense and we are excited about the approach and mentality he will bring to that side of the ball. 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."
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