History of Tom Thibodeau in Timeline

Tom Thibodeau, nicknamed "Thibs", is an American professional basketball coach currently leading the New York Knicks in the NBA. He previously served as an assistant coach for the United States men's national basketball team from 2013 to 2016, where he contributed to Team USA's gold medal victory at the 2016 Olympic Games.

Sections (3)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements Success & Recognition

January 17, 1958: Birth of Tom Thibodeau

On January 17, 1958, Thomas Joseph Thibodeau Jr. was born. He is now a professional basketball coach for the New York Knicks.

1980: NCAA Tournament bid for Salem State College

In 1980, Tom Thibodeau helped Salem State to the league championship and the school's first NCAA Tournament bid.

1981: Consecutive Division III national tournaments

During the 1980-81 season, Tom Thibodeau served as captain, helping Salem State to consecutive Division III national tournaments.

1981: Assistant Coach at Salem State College

In 1981, upon graduating, Tom Thibodeau became an assistant coach at Salem State College.

1984: Head Coach at Salem State College

In 1984, at age 25, Tom Thibodeau became head coach at Salem State after serving three years as an assistant.

1987: Befriending Bill Musselman

In 1987, Tom Thibodeau befriended Bill Musselman, a former head coach in the NBA, ABA and NCAA who was coaching the Albany Patroons of the Continental Basketball Association.

1989: Assistant Coach for the Minnesota Timberwolves

In 1989, Tom Thibodeau entered the National Basketball Association (NBA) as an assistant coach with an expansion team, the Minnesota Timberwolves.

1991: Advance Scout for the Seattle SuperSonics

Prior to the 1991-92 season, Tom Thibodeau joined the Seattle SuperSonics as an advance scout.

1993: Assistant Coach with the Philadelphia 76ers

After the 1993-94 season, Tom Thibodeau left the Spurs along with Lucas to become an assistant under Lucas with the Philadelphia 76ers.

1995: Assistant Coach with the New York Knicks

After the 1995-96 season, Tom Thibodeau joined the New York Knicks as an assistant to head coach Jeff Van Gundy.

1998: Inducted into New Britain Sports Hall of Fame

In 1998, Tom Thibodeau was inducted into the New Britain Sports Hall of Fame.

1999: Assistant Coach with the New York Knicks for the NBA Finals

In 1999, Tom Thibodeau was an assistant coach with the New York Knicks, participating in the NBA Finals.

2000: Eastern Conference All-Stars Coach

In 2000, Tom Thibodeau helped Van Gundy coach the Eastern Conference All-Stars in the 2000 All-Star Game.

2003: Assistant Coach with the Houston Rockets

In 2003, Tom Thibodeau joined the Houston Rockets as an assistant to head coach Van Gundy.

2004: Yao Ming's Averages

During the 2004–05 season, Yao Ming averaged 18.3 points and 8.4 rebounds per game.

2004: Kevin Garnett's MVP Season

In 2004, the Timberwolves had not made the playoffs since Kevin Garnett’s lone MVP season.

2004: Defensive Coach for the Houston Rockets

Starting in 2004, as a defensive coach, Tom Thibodeau helped the Houston Rockets rank among the Top 5 in the league in scoring defense and field goal percentage defense.

2005: Working with Yao Ming

In 2005, while an assistant with the Houston Rockets, Tom Thibodeau began working with Yao Ming, traveling to China to hone Yao's skills.

2006: Avery Johnson's Record Set

In 2006, Avery Johnson set the record of fastest coach to 100 career victories in 131 games.

August 30, 2007: Associate Head Coach of the Boston Celtics

On August 30, 2007, Tom Thibodeau was named associate head coach of the Boston Celtics.

November 4, 2007: Took over head coaching duties for a game

On November 4, 2007, Tom Thibodeau took over head coaching duties against the Toronto Raptors in place of Doc Rivers.

2007: Continued success as Defensive Coach for the Houston Rockets

In 2007, as a defensive coach, Tom Thibodeau continued to help the Houston Rockets rank among the Top 5 in the league in scoring defense and field goal percentage defense.

2007: Led Celtics to best defensive rating

In the 2007-08 season, Tom Thibodeau led the Celtics to the best rating in several defensive categories.

2008: Rumored Candidate for Head Coaching Jobs

During the 2008 playoffs, Tom Thibodeau was rumored to be a candidate for the vacant head coaching job with the New York Knicks, as well as the Chicago Bulls, but he was not hired by either.

2008: First NBA Championship

In 2008, Tom Thibodeau was a key factor in containing Kobe Bryant during the 2008 Finals, which the Celtics won, earning Thibodeau his first NBA Championship.

2008: NBA Finals Win with the Boston Celtics

In 2008, Tom Thibodeau won the NBA Finals as an assistant coach with the Boston Celtics, serving as a defensive coach.

June 2, 2010: Interviewed for Chicago Bulls Head Coach Position

On June 2, 2010, Tom Thibodeau interviewed with officials from the Chicago Bulls for their vacant head coach position.

2010: Boston Globe Article

According to a 2010 Boston Globe article, one of the many misconceptions about Tom Thibodeau is that he’s strictly a defensive specialist.

2010: Kobe Bryant on Thibodeau

In 2010 Kobe Bryant said that Tom Thibodeau was crucial to his development as he was with him when he was 16 or 17 years old teaching him the game.

2010: Guide the Boston Celtics to the NBA Finals

In 2010, Tom Thibodeau helped guide the Boston Celtics back to the NBA Finals, serving as a defensive coach.

May 1, 2011: Named NBA Coach of the Year

On May 1, 2011, Tom Thibodeau was named the NBA Coach of the Year after tying the record for most wins by a rookie head coach with 62.

2011: NBA Coach of the Year

In 2011, Tom Thibodeau was named the NBA Coach of the Year after leading the Chicago Bulls to a 62-win season.

February 14, 2012: Eastern Conference All-Star Coach

On February 14, 2012, Tom Thibodeau clinched the position of Eastern Conference All-Star Coach for the All-Star Game in Orlando.

March 19, 2012: Fastest Coach to 100 Career Victories

On March 19, 2012, Tom Thibodeau became the fastest coach in NBA history to earn 100 career victories, achieving this in 130 games.

2012: Second in NBA Coach of the Year Voting

In 2012, Tom Thibodeau finished second to Gregg Popovich of the San Antonio Spurs in NBA Coach of the Year voting.

2012: New York Times Profile on Thibodeau

In 2012, a New York Times profile discussed Thibodeau's personal life, noting that he was once engaged but the wedding was called off. The article attributed his lack of personal life and marriage to his intense focus on basketball.

2012: Playoff Appearance

In the shortened 2020–21 season, his first as head coach of the Knicks, Thibodeau guided the Knicks to their first playoff appearance since the 2012–13 season.

2012: Rose missed the entire 2012-13 season

Rose missed the entire 2012-13 season, but despite his absence, the Bulls finished 45–37, second in the Central Division (behind the Indiana Pacers) and 5th in their conference.

January 2013: Praised Defensive System

In January 2013, ESPN praised Tom Thibodeau's defensive system as "the pinnacle of team defensive strategy in the NBA."

May 13, 2013: Fined for Defending Players

On May 13, 2013, Tom Thibodeau was fined $35,000 for defending his players while commenting on the seemingly inadequate foul calls by the referees during the Eastern Conference semifinals against the Miami Heat.

June 10, 2013: Assistant Coach for the United States men's national basketball team

On June 10, 2013, Tom Thibodeau was named an assistant coach for the 2013–16 United States men's national basketball team.

2013: Assistant Coach for USA Basketball Team

In 2013, Tom Thibodeau began serving as an assistant coach for the United States men's national basketball team.

2014: Noah finished 4th in MVP voting

In 2014, Joakim Noah, who played for Tom Thibodeau, finished 4th in MVP voting with the Bulls.

2014: Finished Third in NBA Coach of the Year Voting

In 2014, Tom Thibodeau finished third in NBA Coach of the Year voting, leading the second year straight Derrick Rose-less Bulls to the fourth-best record in the Eastern Conference.

2014: FIBA World Cup Gold Medal

In 2014, as a member of the USA Basketball Men's National Team coach staff, Tom Thibodeau assisted the US to a gold medal at the 2014 FIBA World Cup in Spain.

2014: Grew tension between the Bulls' front office and Thibodeau

In 2014-15 season, tension between the Bulls' front office and Thibodeau grew considerably, which ended in a six-game series loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers in the Eastern Conference semifinals.

May 28, 2015: Departure from the Bulls

On May 28, 2015, the Bulls decided to let go of Tom Thibodeau.

April 20, 2016: Hired as Head Coach and President of Basketball Operations for the Minnesota Timberwolves

On April 20, 2016, the Minnesota Timberwolves hired Tom Thibodeau as head coach and president of basketball operations.

2016: Olympic Gold Medal with Team USA

In 2016, Tom Thibodeau helped Team USA win a gold medal at the Olympic Games as an assistant coach.

2016: 2016 Olympic championship

In 2016, Tom Thibodeau helped lead the U.S. to the 2016 Olympic championship as the Americans rolled to an 8–0 record and the gold medal in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

2017: Ranked 13th best coach

In 2017, ESPN ranked Tom Thibodeau the 13th best coach, despite the Timberwolves finishing outside of playoff contention.

January 2019: Released from the Timberwolves

In January 2019, Tom Thibodeau was released from the Timberwolves after a period of regression following the end of the playoff drought.

July 30, 2020: Hired as Head Coach of the New York Knicks

On July 30, 2020, the New York Knicks announced that they hired Tom Thibodeau as their head coach.

2021: Second NBA Coach of the Year Award

In 2021, Tom Thibodeau won the NBA Coach of the Year award for the second time after leading the Knicks to their first playoff berth in eight seasons.