History of Tom Thibodeau in Timeline

Tom Thibodeau, or "Thibs", is an American professional basketball coach currently leading the New York Knicks in the NBA. Known for his defensive coaching prowess, Thibodeau emphasizes hard work, discipline, and a strong defensive system. He previously served as head coach for the Chicago Bulls and Minnesota Timberwolves, earning the NBA Coach of the Year award in 2011 with the Bulls. Additionally, he was an assistant coach for the U.S. men's national team, contributing to their gold medal win at the 2016 Olympic Games.

Sections (3)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements Success & Recognition

January 17, 1958: Tom Thibodeau's Birth

On January 17, 1958, Thomas Joseph Thibodeau Jr. was born. He is an American basketball coach.

1980: League Championship and NCAA Tournament Bid

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

1981: Consecutive Division III National Tournament

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

1981: Assistant Coach at Salem State

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

1984: Head Coach at Salem State

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

1987: Befriended 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 with Timberwolves

In 1989, Tom Thibodeau entered the NBA as an assistant coach with the expansion team, the Minnesota Timberwolves.

1991: Advance Scout for SuperSonics

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

1993: Assistant Coach with 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 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, marking a significant honor in his career.

1999: NBA Finals with Knicks

In 1999, Tom Thibodeau was part of the NBA Finals as an assistant coach with the New York Knicks.

2000: Eastern Conference All-Stars

During his tenure with the Knicks, Tom Thibodeau helped Van Gundy coach the Eastern Conference All-Stars in the 2000 All-Star Game.

2003: Joined Houston Rockets

Prior to the 2003-04 season, Tom Thibodeau joined the Houston Rockets as an assistant to head coach Jeff Van Gundy.

2004: Yao Ming Averaged 18.3 Points and 8.4 Rebounds

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

2004: Houston Rockets Top 5 Defense

From 2004 to 2007, Tom Thibodeau helped the Houston Rockets rank among the top 5 in the league in scoring defense and field goal percentage defense.

2004: Timberwolves Last Playoff appearance

In 2004, Minnesota Timberwolves last made the playoffs since Kevin Garnett’s lone MVP season.

2005: Worked with Yao Ming in China

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: Previous Record for Fastest to 100 Wins

In 2006, Avery Johnson previously set the record for the fastest coach to earn 100 career victories.

August 30, 2007: Named Associate Head Coach of Celtics

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

November 4, 2007: Took Over Head Coaching Duties

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

2007: Houston Rockets Top 5 Defense

From 2004 to 2007, Tom Thibodeau helped the Houston Rockets rank among the top 5 in the league in scoring defense and field goal percentage defense.

2007: Led Celtics Defensive Categories

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

2008: Head Coaching Candidate

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

2008: NBA Championship

In 2008, Tom Thibodeau won his first NBA Championship with the Celtics.

2008: NBA Finals Win with Celtics

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

June 2, 2010: Interviewed with Chicago Bulls

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

2010: Not Strictly a Defensive Specialist

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

2010: Helped Develop Kobe Bryant

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

2010: Head Coach of Chicago Bulls

In 2010, Tom Thibodeau became the head coach of the Chicago Bulls.

2010: NBA Finals with Celtics

In 2010, Tom Thibodeau helped guide the Boston Celtics back to the NBA Finals.

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.

February 14, 2012: Eastern Conference All-Star Coach

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

March 19, 2012: Fastest Coach to 100 Career Wins

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

2012: NBA Coach of the Year Runner-Up

In 2012, Tom Thibodeau finished second to Gregg Popovich in NBA Coach of the Year voting, and the Bulls' season ended after a 4-2 defeat by the 76ers.

2012: New York Times Profile Details Personal Life

In 2012, a New York Times profile revealed that Tom Thibodeau was once engaged during his graduate studies at Salem State, but the wedding was called off six weeks prior. The article highlighted Thibodeau's intense focus on basketball as a primary reason for his lack of a personal life.

2012: Rose Missed the Season

In the 2012-13 season, Rose missed the entire season, but despite his absence, the Bulls finished 45-37, second in the Central Division and 5th in their conference.

2012: Knicks Playoff appearance

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

January 2013: Praised for 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 US National 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 US Men's National Team

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

2014: FIBA World Cup Gold Medal

As a member of the 2014-16 USA Basketball Men's National Team coach staff, Tom Thibodeau assisted the US to win the gold medal at the 2014 FIBA World Cup in Spain.

2014: Finished 4th in MVP Voting

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

2014: Third in NBA Coach of the Year Voting

In 2014, Tom Thibodeau finished third in NBA Coach of the Year voting and led the Bulls to the fourth-best record in the Eastern Conference without Rose. The Bulls' season ended with a 4-1 series loss to the fifth-seeded Washington Wizards.

2014: Tension between Bulls' Front Office and Thibodeau

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

May 28, 2015: Bulls Release Thibodeau

On May 28, 2015, the Chicago Bulls decided to move in a different direction and released Tom Thibodeau.

April 20, 2016: Hired as Timberwolves Head Coach

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

2016: Head Coach of Minnesota Timberwolves

In 2016, Tom Thibodeau became head coach of the Minnesota Timberwolves.

2016: Olympic Gold Medal

In 2016, Tom Thibodeau helped the United States men's national team win a gold medal at the Olympic Games.

2017: Ranked 13th Best Coach

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

January 2019: Released from Timberwolves

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

2019: End of Tenure with Timberwolves

In 2019, Tom Thibodeau's tenure as head coach of the Minnesota Timberwolves ended.

July 30, 2020: Hired as Knicks Head Coach

On July 30, 2020, Tom Thibodeau was hired as the head coach of the New York Knicks.

2021: Coach of the Year Award

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

June 3, 2025: Relieved of Duties as Knicks Head Coach

On June 3, 2025, Tom Thibodeau was relieved of his duties as the head coach of the New York Knicks, despite leading the team to the Eastern Conference Finals.