FLIP'S COACHING CAREER

College

1977-78 to 1980-81: Head coach, Golden Valley Lutheran College. He went 92-13 overall, 56-0 at home.

1981-82 to 1985-86: Assistant coach, University of Minnesota under Jim Dutcher. The Gophers won the Big Ten title in the spring of 1982.

1986-87 to 1987-88: Assistant coach, University of Tulsa under J.D. Barnett. Tulsa won the Missouri Valley Conference championship in 1987, advancing to the NCAA tournament.

Continental Basketball Association

1988-89: Rapid City Thrillers. Working with team GM Eric Musselman finished with conference championship.

1989-90 to 1993-94: Won two CBA championships, also serving as GM for two seasons and team president for three.

1994-95: Sioux Falls Skyforce

NBA

1995-96 to 2004-05: Timberwolves. Hired initially as GM of the team in May 1995, Saunders took over for Bill Blair as coach on Dec. 18, 1995. Timberwolves qualified for playoffs for first time in 1998-97 season, Saunders' first full year as coach, the first of eight consecutive playoff appearances. Reached Western Conference finals in 2004, losing to the L.A. Lakers in six games. Fired after 51 games the following season with the team 25-26.

2005-06 to 2007-08: Detroit. Set franchise win record (64) in 2005. Reached Eastern Conference finals three straight seasons.

2009-10 to 2010-12: Washington. Was fired after 2-15 start to 2011-12 season.