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Tom Thibodeau

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Tom Thibodeau

Thomas Joseph Thibodeau Jr. ( THIB-ə-doh; born January 17, 1958), nicknamed "Thibs" ( TIBZ), is an American basketball coach who was most recently the head coach for the New York Knicks of the National Basketball Association (NBA). He served as an assistant coach for the United States men's national team from 2013 to 2016, and helped them win a gold medal at the 2016 Olympic Games. As a defensive coach, he helped the Houston Rockets rank among the top 5 in the league in scoring defense and field goal percentage defense from 2004 to 2007, and he has helped his team finish in the league's top 10 in team defense 15 times. He was part of the 1999 NBA Finals as an assistant coach with the New York Knicks before joining the Boston Celtics as a defensive coach. With the Celtics, he won the 2008 NBA Finals as well as helping guide them back to the 2010 NBA Finals. In 2010, he became head coach of the Chicago Bulls. He was named the NBA Coach of the Year after leading the Bulls to a 62-win season. He was head coach of the Minnesota Timberwolves from 2016 to 2019, before becoming the Knicks' head coach. He won the Coach of the Year award again in 2021 after leading the Knicks to their first playoff berth in eight seasons. In 2025, he led the Knicks to their first conference finals appearance in 25 years, and was fired at the end of the season. He has coached in 214 playoff games as an assistant coach, associate head coach, and head coach.

Infobox

Born
(1958-01-17) January 17, 1958 (age 67)New Britain, Connecticut, U.S.
Listed height
6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)
High school
New Britain (New Britain, Connecticut)
College
Salem State (1977–1981)
Coaching career
1981–present
1981–1984
Salem State (assistant)
1984–1985
Salem State
1985–1989
Harvard (assistant)
1989–1991
Minnesota Timberwolves (assistant)
1992–1994
San Antonio Spurs (assistant)
1994–1996
Philadelphia 76ers (assistant)
1996–2003
New York Knicks (assistant)
2003–2007
Houston Rockets (assistant)
2007–2010
Boston Celtics (associate HC)
2010–2015
Chicago Bulls
2016–2019
Minnesota Timberwolves
2020–2025
New York Knicks

Tables

Statistics overview · Head coaching record › College
Salem State Vikings (Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference) (1984–1985)
Salem State Vikings (Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference) (1984–1985)
Season
Salem State Vikings (Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference) (1984–1985)
1984–85
1984–85
Season
1984–85
Team
Salem State
Overall
9–17
Conference
4–8
Standing
7th
Salem State:
Salem State:
Season
Salem State:
Team
9–17
Overall
4–8
Total:
Total:
Season
Total:
Team
9–17
Season
Team
Overall
Conference
Standing
Postseason
Salem State Vikings (Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference) (1984–1985)
1984–85
Salem State
9–17
4–8
7th
Salem State:
9–17
4–8
Total:
9–17
· Head coaching record › NBA
Chicago
Chicago
Team
Chicago
Year
2010–11
G
82
W
62
L
20
W–L%
756
Finish
1st in Central
PG
16
PW
9
PL
7
PW–L%
563
Result
Lost in conference finals
Chicago
Chicago
Team
Chicago
Year
2011–12
G
66
W
50
L
16
W–L%
758
Finish
1st in Central
PG
6
PW
2
PL
4
PW–L%
333
Result
Lost in first round
Chicago
Chicago
Team
Chicago
Year
2012–13
G
82
W
45
L
37
W–L%
549
Finish
2nd in Central
PG
12
PW
5
PL
7
PW–L%
417
Result
Lost in conference semifinals
Chicago
Chicago
Team
Chicago
Year
2013–14
G
82
W
48
L
34
W–L%
585
Finish
2nd in Central
PG
5
PW
1
PL
4
PW–L%
200
Result
Lost in first round
Chicago
Chicago
Team
Chicago
Year
2014–15
G
82
W
50
L
32
W–L%
610
Finish
2nd in Central
PG
12
PW
6
PL
6
PW–L%
500
Result
Lost in conference semifinals
Minnesota
Minnesota
Team
Minnesota
Year
2016–17
G
82
W
31
L
51
W–L%
378
Finish
5th in Northwest
PG
PW
PL
PW–L%
Result
Missed playoffs
Minnesota
Minnesota
Team
Minnesota
Year
2017–18
G
82
W
47
L
35
W–L%
573
Finish
4th in Northwest
PG
5
PW
1
PL
4
PW–L%
200
Result
Lost in first round
Minnesota
Minnesota
Team
Minnesota
Year
2018–19
G
40
W
19
L
21
W–L%
475
Finish
(fired)
PG
PW
PL
PW–L%
Result
New York
New York
Team
New York
Year
2020–21
G
72
W
41
L
31
W–L%
569
Finish
3rd in Atlantic
PG
5
PW
1
PL
4
PW–L%
200
Result
Lost in first round
New York
New York
Team
New York
Year
2021–22
G
82
W
37
L
45
W–L%
451
Finish
5th in Atlantic
PG
PW
PL
PW–L%
Result
Missed playoffs
New York
New York
Team
New York
Year
2022–23
G
82
W
47
L
35
W–L%
573
Finish
3rd in Atlantic
PG
11
PW
6
PL
5
PW–L%
545
Result
Lost in conference semifinals
New York
New York
Team
New York
Year
2023–24
G
82
W
50
L
32
W–L%
610
Finish
2nd in Atlantic
PG
13
PW
7
PL
6
PW–L%
538
Result
Lost in conference semifinals
New York
New York
Team
New York
Year
2024–25
G
82
W
51
L
31
W–L%
622
Finish
2nd in Atlantic
PG
18
PW
10
PL
8
PW–L%
556
Result
Lost in conference finals
Career
Career
Team
Career
Year
998
G
578
W
420
L
579
Finish
103
PG
48
PW
55
PL
466
Team
Year
G
W
L
W–L%
Finish
PG
PW
PL
PW–L%
Result
Chicago
2010–11
82
62
20
756
1st in Central
16
9
7
563
Lost in conference finals
Chicago
2011–12
66
50
16
758
1st in Central
6
2
4
333
Lost in first round
Chicago
2012–13
82
45
37
549
2nd in Central
12
5
7
417
Lost in conference semifinals
Chicago
2013–14
82
48
34
585
2nd in Central
5
1
4
200
Lost in first round
Chicago
2014–15
82
50
32
610
2nd in Central
12
6
6
500
Lost in conference semifinals
Minnesota
2016–17
82
31
51
378
5th in Northwest
Missed playoffs
Minnesota
2017–18
82
47
35
573
4th in Northwest
5
1
4
200
Lost in first round
Minnesota
2018–19
40
19
21
475
(fired)
New York
2020–21
72
41
31
569
3rd in Atlantic
5
1
4
200
Lost in first round
New York
2021–22
82
37
45
451
5th in Atlantic
Missed playoffs
New York
2022–23
82
47
35
573
3rd in Atlantic
11
6
5
545
Lost in conference semifinals
New York
2023–24
82
50
32
610
2nd in Atlantic
13
7
6
538
Lost in conference semifinals
New York
2024–25
82
51
31
622
2nd in Atlantic
18
10
8
556
Lost in conference finals
Career
998
578
420
579
103
48
55
466

References

  1. Eric Zorn, What the H? How 'Thibs' says his last name, Chicago Tribune, March 21, 2011.
    http://blogs.chicagotribune.com/news_columnists_ezorn/2011/03/what-the-h-how-tibs-says-his-last-name.html
  2. Hartford Courant
    http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/hartfordcourant/obituary.aspx?pid=168751838
  3. www.usab.com
    https://web.archive.org/web/20150217012412/http://www.usab.com/basketball/staff/t/tom-thibodeau.aspx
  4. NBA.com
    https://www.nba.com/celtics/roster/coaches/tom-thibodeau.html
  5. Christopher L. Gasper, It all stops with mastermind Thibodeau, The Boston Globe, June 4, 2008.
    http://www.boston.com/sports/basketball/celtics/articles/2008/06/04/it_all_stops_with_mastermind_thibodeau/
  6. Wicked Local
    http://www.wickedlocal.com/article/20101112/News/311129342
  7. The New York Times
    https://www.nytimes.com/2012/04/29/sports/basketball/bulls-and-basketball-an-obsession-for-thibodeau.html
  8. Celtics Add Thibodeau to Coaching Staff, Celtics.com, August 30, 2007.
    http://www.nba.com/celtics/news/press083007-thibodeau.html
  9. New England native Thibodeau named Celtics assistant, Associated Press, August 30, 2007.
    https://www.espn.com/nba/news/story?id=2998331
  10. Celtics add coach, The Boston Globe, August 30, 2007.
    http://www.boston.com/sports/basketball/celtics/extras/celtics_blog/2007/08/celtics_add_coa.html
  11. Peter May, Thibodeau is Celtics' minister of defense, The Boston Globe, November 1, 2007.
    http://www.boston.com/sports/basketball/celtics/articles/2007/11/01/thibodeau_is_celtics_minister_of_defense/
  12. Mark Murphy, Celtics regular season report card, Boston Herald, April 19, 2008.
    http://www.bostonherald.com/sports/basketball/celtics/view.bg?articleid=1088192&format=&page=2&listingType=celt#articleFull
  13. Allen's last-second 3 caps milestone day as C's nip Raps, Associated Press, November 4, 2007.
    https://web.archive.org/web/20071106020130/http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/recap?gameId=271104028
  14. Alan Hahn, Knicks interested in Celtics assistant coach, Boston Herald, April 23, 2008.
    https://web.archive.org/web/20230412030955/http://toa.hiasys.com/sports/basketball/other_nba/view.bg?articleid=1089086&srvc=home&position=recent
  15. Thibodeau on radar – Assistant may be in line for top job, Boston Herald, April 24, 2008.
    http://www.bostonherald.com/sports/basketball/celtics/view.bg?articleid=1089322
  16. Frank Isola, Boston's Tom Thibodeau helps stymie Kobe Bryant, Lakers, New York Daily News, June 7, 2008.
    http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/basketball/2008/06/07/2008-06-07_bostons_tom_thibodeau_helps_stymie_kobe_.html
  17. K.C. Johnson, Bulls heading home after Thibodeau interview, Chicago Tribune, June 3, 2010.
    http://www.chicagobreakingsports.com/2010/06/bulls-return-from-la-as-thibodeau-ponders-options.html
  18. NBA.com
    http://www.nba.com/bulls/news/thibodeau_hired_100623.html
  19. Chicago Bulls
    https://www.nba.com/bulls/news/chicagos-thibodeau-earns-spot-eastern-conference-head-coach-2012-nba-all-star-game.html
  20. ESPN.com
    https://archive.today/20120717154216/http://scores.espn.go.com/nba/recap?gameId=320319019
  21. "Bulls bash Cavs, clinch top seed"
    http://msn.foxsports.com/nba/story/Chicago-Bulls-clinch-top-overall-playoff-seed-beat-Cleveland-Cavaliers-042612
  22. Chicago Tribune
    http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/basketball/bulls/ct-spt-0429-bulls-76ers-chicago--20120429,0,1444935.story
  23. Chicago Tribune
    http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/basketball/bulls/ct-spt-0430-bulls-bits--20120430,0,7595115.story
  24. 76ers Upset Bulls To Advance To Second Round, The Sports Network. May 11, 2012. Retrieved May 20, 2012.
    https://www.tsn.ca/nba/story/?id=395624
  25. NBA
    https://www.espn.com/chicago/nba/story/_/id/9267302/2013-nba-playoffs-tom-thibodeau-chicago-bulls-fined-35k-comments
  26. NBA
    http://www.nba.com/media/042214-2013-14-NBA-Coach-of-Year-Votes.pdf
  27. ESPN.com
    https://www.espn.com/chicago/nba/story/_/id/12968728/chicago-bulls-fire-tom-thibodeau-coach-five-seasons
  28. chicagotribune.com
    https://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/ct-greenstein-mens-basketball-olympic-event-spt-0822-20160821-column.html
  29. NBA.com
    http://www.nba.com/timberwolves/minnesota-timberwolves-agree-terms-tom-thibodeau-and-scott-layden
  30. ESPN.com
    https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/23123183/timberwolves-beat-nuggets-ot-end-14-year-playoff-drought
  31. NBA.com
    https://www.nba.com/timberwolves/news/timberwolves-relieve-tom-thibodeau-duties
  32. "Knicks hire Tom Thibodeau as coach"
    https://nba.nbcsports.com/2020/07/30/knicks-hire-tom-thibodeau-as-coach/
  33. The New York Times
    https://www.nytimes.com/2021/05/13/sports/basketball/knicks-playoffs.html
  34. New York Post
    https://nypost.com/2021/05/12/knicks-clinch-playoff-spot-for-first-time-in-eight-years/
  35. NBA.com
    https://www.nba.com/news/new-yorks-tom-thibodeau-wins-2020-21-nba-coach-of-the-year-award
  36. NBA.com
    https://www.nba.com/knicks/news/knicks-announce-coaching-change
  37. "Salem State College"
    http://web1.ncaa.org/app_data/statsPDFArchive/MBB2/E/Men%27s%20Basketball_Men%27s_Division%20III_1985_621_Salem%20State%20College.pdf
  38. nydailynews.com
    https://www.nydailynews.com/sports/basketball/knicks/ny-tom-thibodeau-belichick-knicks-coach-20200718-zuf6j2maqrembmudop56o3qaji-story.html
  39. Deadspin
    https://deadspin.com/tom-thibodeau-is-even-more-intense-than-you-thought-1702715254
  40. ESPN.com
    https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/12561256/2015-front-office-rankings-top-coaches
  41. ESPN.com
    https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/19024161/coach-ratings-1-30
  42. ESPN.com
    https://www.espn.com/blog/truehoop/post/_/id/53677/the-book-on-tom-thibodeau
  43. Boston.com
    http://www.boston.com/sports/basketball/celtics/articles/2010/06/03/attention_to_detail/
  44. "New Bulls coach Thibodeau knows both sides of the ball – USATODAY.com"
    https://web.archive.org/web/20130703060048/http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/sports/basketball/nba/bulls/2010-06-07-thibodeau-offense_N.htm
  45. "CelticsGreenBlog.com celtics fans only!: Tom Thibodeau – Defensive Guru"
    http://celticsgreen.blogspot.com/2007/08/tom-thibodeau-defensive-guru.html
  46. Wall Street Journal
    https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424052748703864204576313301231619270
  47. ESPN.com
    https://www.espn.com/chicago/nba/news/story?id=6460616
  48. Chicago Sun-Times
    https://chicago.suntimes.com/bulls/2020/2/13/21135479/tom-thibodeau-hungry-start-winning-again-bulls-timberwolves-nba-all-star-weekend
  49. Daily Herald
    http://www.dailyherald.com/article/20101125/sports/711269943/
  50. Greenstein, Teddy. [1], ChicagoTribune.com, May 14, 2011. Retrieved May 18, 2011.
    https://web.archive.org/web/20120928133913/http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2011-05-14/sports/ct-spt-0515-bulls-tom-thibodeau-chica20110514_1_gar-forman-kate-middleton-basketball
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