Who are the top coaching options to replace Tom Thibodeau at the Timberwolves?

#Coaches

The Minnesota Timberwolves are in the market for a new head coach after parting ways with Tom Thibodeau.


MORE: Wolves fire head coach and president Tom Thibodeau

News of the firing sent shockwaves around the league, especially after the Wolves had just recorded a 22-point victory over the Lakers.

With Thibodeau's tenure in charge coming to an end, the spotlight now turns to who will take control of the team.

Here are some of the best options to step in.

Fred Hoiberg

Hoiberg looms as the early frontrunner to replace Thibodeau as the coach in Minnesota, with ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski reporting his previous relationship with the organisation holds him in good stead.

"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," Wojnarowski tweeted.

Hoiberg was fired as the coach of the Chicago Bulls in December after ending his three and a bit season tenure with a record of 115 wins and 155 losses.

He's reportedly attracted interest from college team UCLA, but his preference remains to stick within the NBA and he now looms as the likely option to land in Minnesota.


Hoiberg played the final two years of his playing career with Minnesota, before moving into a front-office job for four seasons before taking over as Iowa State’s head coach.

Monty Williams

Williams, who stepped away from coaching after a family tragedy in 2016, made his return to the sideline in 2018 as an assistant with the Philadelphia 76ers. His name has often been linked with head coaching vacancies including the Wolves opening that would eventually go to Thibodeau in April 2016.

In five seasons as head coach of the New Orleans Hornets/Pelicans (2010-15), Williams amassed a record of 173-221 in the regular season and 2-8 in two playoff appearances.

Williams is no stranger to coaching stars as he has dealt with big-time players throughout his coaching journey.

He coached Chris Paul in his first year in New Orleans and Anthony Davis later on during his tenure before moving on to Oklahoma City where he worked with Russell Westbrook and Kevin Durant as the team's associate head coach. He now works with the big three of Jimmy Butler, Joel Embiid and Ben Simmons in Philadelphia.

With Karl-Anthony Towns and Andrew Wiggins headlining the Wolves' roster, Williams' familiarity with working with young stars works in his favour.

Mark Jackson

Jackson looms as a serious contender to be handed the reigns of the Wolves after amassing a 121-109 record while coaching the Golden State Warriors from 2011 to 2014.

His name is always floated any time a coaching position becomes available and with valid reasons.

Jackson was in charge of a young Steph Curry and helped set the Warriors up for the years of dominance.


Having spent the majority of the past 31 years within the NBA, Jackson brings with him a wealth of experience and could help guide the young Wolves superstars to the next level.

Ryan Saunders

Saunders has a solid reputation in Minnesota and not just for being the son of Timberwolves legend Flip. And at only 32, he becomes the youngest head coach in the NBA.

His tenure on the sidelines began back in 2009 when he was a member of the Washington Wizards, before he joined the Wolves as an assistant in 2014.

While it's never easy taking over a new job on the fly, Saunders has built a relationship with the playing group and has the backing of GM Glen Taylor.

"My hope would be that Ryan takes over and we play well or good enough to get into the playoffs and do well there and that Ryan would earn to be the permanent coach. That would be my hope," Taylor said.

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