It’s official: Tom Thibodeau is the new head coach of the New York Knicks.
Team president Leon Rose announced the hiring in a statement Thursday.
“Tom Thibodeau is a proven winner who gets the most out of the players and teams that he has coached,” Rose said in the release. “He will bring leadership, accountability and a hard-working mentality to our organization. We are excited to bring him back to New York and look forward to collaborating with him and his staff toward a successful future.”
Thibodeau takes over after Mike Miller served as interim head coach following David Fizdale’s firing in December.
BURNING QUESTIONS:The biggest things to watch as NBA gets back to action
All things Knicks: Latest New York Knicks news, schedule, roster, stats, injury updates and more.
NBA PICKS:Our predictions for regular-season awards, 2020 champion
“I’m grateful for the opportunity to return to this historic franchise as head coach and work alongside a talented front office that I have great trust in and respect for,” Thibodeau said in a statement. “I know what New York is like when the Knicks are successful and there is nothing comparable. I look forward to being a part of what we are building here and can’t wait to get to work.”
The 2011 NBA Coach of the Year, Thibodeau has a record of 352-246 in eight seasons leading the Chicago Bulls and Minnesota Timberwolves. He took the Bulls to the playoffs five times and the Timberwolves to the postseason his second year in Minnesota, ending the organization’s 13-year playoff drought.
Known as an elite defensive coach, Thibodeau returns to Madison Square Garden, where he worked on Jeff Van Gundy’s coaching staff from 1996-2002 before spending a season as one of Don Chaney’s assistants.
Thibodeau, 62, then followed Van Gundy to the Houston Rockets.
The Knicks need stability, and hiring Thibodeau is a step in the right direction.
The New Britain, Conn. native has a long-standing relationship with Rose and he was always viewed as a front runner in a search that included interviews with 11 reported candidates.
Kenny Atkinson, Jason Kidd, Mike Woodson and Miller also interviewed for the job.
In the end, though, Thibodeau won the job.
click here
Leave a Reply