Aug. 21, 1989 The Timberwolves today announced the hiring of Tom Thibodeau (pronounced TIB-uh-doe) as an assistant coach. Thibodeau, 31, has been assistant coach and recruiting coordinator at Harvard University since 1985.
Thibodeau will work with Timberwolves players on individual skills development along with serving as the team's pro advance scout, providing head coach Bill Musselman and other members of the staff with scouting reports on upcoming NBA opponents. When not traveling, he will join the Timberwolves' bench coaching staff.
Thibodeau was part of the instructional staff at the Timberwolves' three free agent camps held this summer, along with the Midwest Revue round-robin tournament held last month in San Antonio.
"Tom Thibodeau has a fine, young coaching mind," Musselman said. "His knowledge of the game will be of great help to our players and staff."
At Harvard, Thibodeau's duties included coordination of scouting assignments and schedules; scouting reports and game plan preparations; recruitment of scholar-athletes; preparing and running daily individual player development sessions; and serving as co-director of the Harvard Summer Basketball School.
Thibodeau spent four years on the staff at his alma mater, Salem (MA) College, including one season as head coach (1984-85). A former team captain at Salem, Thibodeau was on the school's Dean's List as an undergraduate and went on to earn a master's degree in counseling.
"Having been a part of all three free agent camps and the Midwest Review, I became very impressed with the Timberwolves," said Thibodeau. "I am also excited about learning from somebody like Bill (Musselman). It will be a great challenge."
The Timberwolves expect to add to their coaching and scouting staff prior to the opening of training camp in October.