The Tom Thibodeau File
Age: 58
College: Salem State
Pronunciation: Thib-uh-DOE
As NBA assistant coach: His first NBA job was an assistant job with the expansion Timberwolves (1989-1992). From there: San Antonio (1992-1994), Philadelphia (1994-96), Knicks (1994-2004), Houston (2004-07) and Boston (2007-2010). He was a defensive specialist coach with the Celtics when Kevin Garnett & Co. won it all in 2008.
As NBA head coach: Five seasons with Chicago Bulls (from 2010-11 to 2014-15), leading them to the playoffs each season. Overall record: 255-139.
First season as a head coach: 2010-11 Coach of the Year.
Second season: He became the fastest coach in history to earn 100 victories and finished as the runner-up for Coach of the Year.
His trademark: He's considered one of the best coaches of defense in the NBA.
College days: The 6-2 guard played at Salem State and was team captain during the 1980-81 season when the Vikings made their second-consecutive Division III national tournament for the first time. Upon graduating, he became an assistant coach and three years later, at the age of 25, the head coach. After one season, he took an assistant job at Harvard, where he spent the next four seasons.
Notable quote from his past: "Practice is important. The regular season is important. Your meetings are important. Your walk-through is important. Everything is important. You want to be a championship team, there's a price to pay. And that's what you have to do. There's no shortcuts. You can't shortcut your way to success. … The guys who take shortcuts, who aren't ready, they fail when their opportunity comes."
