Minnesota Timberwolves head coach Ryan Saunders is only 32-years-old, but he just made NBA history on Tuesday.
The Timberwolves defeated the Oklahoma City Thunder Tuesday night on the road in Saunders' first game as the man in charge. Saunders became the youngest coach to win his NBA coaching debut since Dave Cowen did it back in 1978 with the Boston Celtics at the age of 30.
With tonight’s 119-117 win, Ryan Saunders becomes the youngest coach to win their coaching debut since Dave Cowens (11/17/78 – Boston 120, Denver 118). #TWolves pic.twitter.com/uXw1YiBtiR
— Timberwolves PR (@Twolves_PR) January 9, 2019
Ryan Saunders is the son of the late Flip Saunders, who coached the Timberwolves for 11 seasons. Flip passed away at the age of 60 three years ago after battling Hodgkin lymphoma, but his son Ryan is making the family name proud by etching his name in the history books.
Minnesota fired Tom Thibodeau on Sunday after the team defeated the Los Angeles Lakers by 22 points. It was a move many thought would happen in the offseason, not during the season.
It's only one game, but the Timberwolves played with an energy and spirit on Tuesday which was lacking under Thibodeau.
Ryan Saunders can relate to a lot of the players on the team because he's young and around the same age as them. Karl-Anthony Towns is 23. Andrew Wiggins is 23. Derrick Rose is 30. Tyus Jones is 22. Josh Okogie is 20.
You have to feel good for Ryan Saunders considering how tragically his father passed away. This is a big moment for the Saunders family.
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