When Fred Hoiberg was fired from the Chicago Bulls after a disastrous three-and-a-quarter year stint, many probably felt he would never get another NBA head-coaching job ever again.
But then the Minnesota Timberwolves fired Tom Thibodeau, and Hoiberg's name was thrown around as a potential candidate to replace him, just like he did in Chicago.
However, Timberwolves owner Glen Taylor, who talked with Hoiberg after his dismissal from the Bulls, threw some water on the fire. He said that he is happy with current interim coach Ryan Saunders:
“We spent time on (Chicago) and what he wanted to do in the future,” Taylor said of the previous conversation with Hoiberg, according to Danny Lawhon of The Des Moines Register. “We had already made up our mind on Ryan, because Ryan has worked with these players, been there all year. That was the easiest way to make the transition.”
Taylor is very familiar with Hoiberg, as Fred played in Minnesota for two years and then briefly served in the Timberwolves' front office after retiring.
Hoiberg went just 115-155 during his stint in Chicago, leading the Bulls to one playoff appearance. He had gone 5-19 this season before getting fired. Hoiberg did have some success on the NCAA level, however, going 115-56 in five years as the head coach of Iowa State. He lead the Cyclones to four NCAA Tournament appearances and two Big 12 Conference Tournament championships.
The Timberwolves currently own a record of 20-21 and sit in ninth place in the Western Conference standings. Last year, they made the playoffs for the first time since 2004.
Follow Us
Subscribe