Tom Thibodeau to Coach the Chicago Bulls

By KC Downey in Celtics, Featured, Top Story ⋅ June 6, 2010 at 12:44am ⋅ Post a comment

Tom Thibodeau (Image from heraldinteractive.com)

Before the NBA Finals, Celtics assistant coach Tom Thibodeau had already interviewed with the New Jersey Nets, New Orleans Hornets, and Chicago Bulls. The Hornets were ready to offer him the job, but were not willing to wait for Thibodeau to make up his mind…or even help coach the Celtics in the Finals. So, when he balked at New Orleans, it seemed like Thibodeau may stick around through the Finals, and perhaps next year if Doc Rivers ends his coaching stint with the Celtics.

Not so fast. Given the chance to coach Derrick Rose, Joakim Noah…and perhaps LeBron James (or another top-flight free agent), Thibodeau has reportedly agreed to be the next coach of the Chicago Bulls for the next three years. All this drama, and we haven’t hit Game 2 yet!

“He’s a great defensive coach for us now,” said Rajon Rondo, who heard of the coach’s possible hiring from the media. “He’s very vocal. He knows how to talk to the players and he has a great relationship with his players. If he does have the job, I wish him the best and I’m sure he’ll be successful.”

The 50-year-old defensive whiz has never been a head coach in his 18-year NBA career…until now.