Report: Tom Thibodeau Aggressive In Pursuit Of Full Control Of Timberwolves
(CBS) Former Bulls coach Tom Thibodeau is "aggressively pursuing" a dual president of basketball operations and coaching role with the Minnesota Timberwolves, The Vertical reported Monday.
Out of the NBA for the past year after he was unceremoniously fired by the Bulls in May 2015, Thibodeau's envisioning a role that's similar to Stan Van Gundy's with the Pistons, The Vertical reported. Van Gundy has final say on roster moves but has a general manager underneath him who handles the day-to-day duties in the front office.
Thibodeau's five-year tenure in Chicago came to an end because of a frayed relationship and distrust with the front office. Thibodeau led the Bulls to the playoffs in each of his five seasons and compiled a .647 winning percentage. He spent the past year traveling and visiting many friends in the coaching business, learning as much as he could and studying different philosophies.
Thibodeau and Jeff Van Gundy -- a good friend of Thibodeau's, coincidentally -- are considered the finalists for the Timberwolves job, according to The Vertical. Thibodeau has made his desire to have final roster say clear to Timberwolves owner Glen Taylor, The Vertical reported. If Thibodeau doesn't get full control, he's still open to a coaching-only job. He's already had an interview with Minnesota.
The Timberwolves job is viewed by many as the best on the market, as burgeoning stars Karl Anthony-Towns and Andrew Wiggins hint at a bright future ahead in Minnesota.
