Career Timeline of Chris Finch: Major Achievements and Milestones

By Popular Timelines Editorial Team · Updated: May 1, 2025

From career breakthroughs to professional milestones, explore how Chris Finch made an impact.

Chris Finch is an American professional basketball coach currently serving as the head coach for the Minnesota Timberwolves in the NBA. Prior to this role, he gained extensive experience as an assistant coach for several other NBA teams, including the Houston Rockets, Denver Nuggets, New Orleans Pelicans, and Toronto Raptors. He also had a career as a player before transitioning to coaching.

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Full Timeline Career & Achievements

1991: NCAA Division III All-American

In 1991, Chris Finch was named an NCAA Division III All-American. As one of the best defenders in the nation's third division, he also helped lead Franklin & Marshall College to the NCAA Division III championship game, where the team lost to Wisconsin–Platteville.

1992: Graduation from Franklin & Marshall College

In 1992, Chris Finch graduated from Franklin & Marshall College.

1994: Joins Sheffield Sharks

In 1994, Chris Finch and the Sheffield Forgers moved into the first tier of British basketball, the British Basketball League, and were renamed the Sheffield Sharks.

1998: BBL Coach of the Year

In 1998, Chris Finch was named the BBL Coach of the Year after winning the regular season title with the Sheffield Sharks.

2005: Belgian Basketball League Championship

In 2005, Chris Finch led Euphony Bree to its first and only Belgian Basketball League championship as head coach.

2007: Moves to Dexia Mons-Hainaut

In 2007, Chris Finch moved to Dexia Mons-Hainaut of the Belgian Basketball League, bringing several players and his assistant coach Johan Roijakkers with him.

2009: Head Coach of Rio Grande Valley Vipers

In 2009, Chris Finch became the head coach of the Rio Grande Valley Vipers of the NBA D-League. The Vipers finished first in the Western Conference and won the franchise's first championship. Finch was named the D-League Coach of the Year.

2009: Coaches Great Britain National Team

In 2009, Chris Finch coached the Great Britain men's national team at the FIBA EuroBasket.

July 14, 2011: Hired as Assistant Coach for Houston Rockets

On July 14, 2011, Chris Finch was hired by the Houston Rockets as an assistant coach.

2011: Coaches Great Britain National Team

In 2011, Chris Finch coached the Great Britain men's national team at the FIBA EuroBasket.

2012: Coaches Great Britain National Team at Summer Olympics

In 2012, Chris Finch coached the Great Britain men's national team at the Summer Olympics. He resigned after his team was eliminated to focus on his NBA coaching career.

2012: Summer Olympics Coaching

In 2012, Nick Nurse served under Chris Finch at the Summer Olympics.

2015: Named Associate Head Coach

In 2015, after Kevin McHale was fired and J. B. Bickerstaff replaced him on an interim basis, Chris Finch was named associate head coach of the Houston Rockets.

September 14, 2016: Hired as Assistant Coach for Denver Nuggets

On September 14, 2016, Chris Finch was hired as an assistant coach for the Denver Nuggets alongside Michael Malone.

June 6, 2017: Hired as Assistant Coach for New Orleans Pelicans

On June 6, 2017, Chris Finch was hired as an assistant coach for the New Orleans Pelicans alongside Alvin Gentry.

2018: Timberwolves Make Playoffs

In his first full season, Chris Finch led the Timberwolves to their first playoff berth since 2018, finishing with a 46–36 record.

November 16, 2020: Not Retained by Pelicans

On November 16, 2020, Chris Finch was not retained by the New Orleans Pelicans.

December 4, 2020: Joins Toronto Raptors Coaching Staff

On December 4, 2020, Chris Finch was officially announced as a new member of the coaching staff for the Toronto Raptors, serving as assistant coach to Nick Nurse.