Just a few days after the Chicago Bulls fired Tom Thibodeau, they've announced a replacement in the form of former Iowa State head coach, Fred Hoiberg. Media outlets have reported that he signed a five-year deal amounting to $25 million.
The 42-year old multi-talented athlete has coached his alma mater's basketball team in five years. He was also the 52nd overall pick of the NBA 1995 draft. In his ten years as a professional basketball player, he played for the Indiana Pacers (1995–1999), Chicago Bulls (1999–2003), and the Minnesota Timberwolves (2003–2005).
Hoiberg will be succeeding Thibodeau, who have led the Bulls in five consecutive playoffs, but was still sacked amid friction involving the organization's management and ownership. Despite all of the drama and the changes that involve this recent development in his life, the charming coach chose not to dwell on the negatives.
“It’s really been emotional to leave a comfortable situation like we had,” Hoiberg said. “My family understands that this has always been my dream. This is my life goal, to coach in the NBA.”
The Bulls' general manager Gar Forman, who was rumored to being not in good terms with Thibodeau has expressed his delight over Hoiberg's hiring.
“We feel strongly we've got a guy with a skill package of a winning coach, a natural leader and great communicator,” Forman said. “We've known Fred for a long time, thought very highly of Fred. We have great respect for who he is as a person and the job he has done.
“He was the right guy to maximize our talent. A big part of coaching is the human element — getting guys to buy in, to play together, to play hard, to accept roles. We have confidence that Fred’s going to be able to do that.”
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