Tom Thibodeau has been on the hot seat since before training camp as the Timberwolves team president and coach pushed the boundaries by keeping Jimmy Butler around after he made his trade request incredibly clear.
Still, Thibodeau managed to make it through the Butler trade saga and, briefly, the Wolves looked to be on track after the deal, excelling defensively with Robert Covington inserted into the lineup. However, Minnesota has cooled off significantly of late and despite a 108-86 win over the Lakers on Sunday, the Wolves have decided to move on.
The news of Thibodeau’s firing was first reported by Shams Charania and confirmed shortly after by Adrian Wojnarowski.
Sources with @JonKrawczynski: Minnesota has fired coach Tom Thibodeau.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) January 7, 2019
Minnesota has fired President and Coach Tom Thibodeau, league source tells ESPN.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) January 7, 2019
The team made the move official on Sunday evening.
NEWS: Timberwolves relieve Tom Thibodeau of his duties.
Assistant Coach Ryan Saunders will assume the role of interim head coach for the remainder of the 2018-19 season.
Full release: pic.twitter.com/sleIVTH1sM
— Timberwolves PR (@Twolves_PR) January 7, 2019
Ryan Saunders will reportedly take over as the interim head coach, while Scott Layden will continue to serve as the team’s general manager.
Ryan Saunders will fill in on an interim basis. Layden is the GM, Sources told @TheAthleticMIN
— Jon Krawczynski (@JonKrawczynski) January 7, 2019
At 18-21, the Timberwolves are currently 11th in the Western Conference and are 6-9 in their last 15 games. Thibodeau’s handling of the Butler trade request and that entire situation seemed to make this the inevitable outcome, but given the way things had apparently stabilized a bit in Minnesota, the firing happening now did come as a surprise — especially after they thrashed the Lakers at home.
Still, the writing has been on the wall for some time and now the Wolves will look to find new leadership both on the bench and in the front office, at least at the president position. Fred Hoiberg, who has spent time with the Wolves organization in the past, will reportedly be a top candidate for one of the positions.
Fred Hoiberg is a serious consideration of Minnesota owner Glen Taylor to become either the GM or head coach in the future, league sources tell ESPN. Hoiberg was an assistant GM in Minnesota prior to Iowa State. Scott Layden remains GM now.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) January 7, 2019
The good news for Wolves fans is that the team apparently won’t make the same mistake as it did with Thibodeau, and Hoiberg wouldn’t be offered both jobs.
As @KCJHoop reports, Hoiberg's preference is to remain in the NBA over college basketball — regardless of UCLA's interest. Ultimately, Hoiberg could have his choice of jobs with the Timberwolves. Not both, though. Minnesota wants to separate front office and coaching duties.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) January 7, 2019
Hoiberg has also been listed as a top candidate for the open UCLA job, and that might explain the timing on the Wolves firing Thibodeau now to avoid missing out on him for whatever job they may be targeting him for.