The Minnesota Timberwolves have begun searching for a new head coach. After Flip Saunders tragically passed away from cancer in October, Sam Mitchell was promoted to interim head coach for the remainder of the season. Earlier this week, the Timberwolves announced the firing of Sam Mitchell and its intentions of finding its next head coach to guide a young core of Wiggins, Towns, Lavine, and more to future contention.
According to Adrian Wojnarowski of The Vertical, Minnesota has already set meetings with two of the most pursued coaching names available:
The Minnesota Timberwolves have meetings set with the two top targets of the franchise’s basketball operations and coaching search: Tom Thibodeau and Jeff Van Gundy, league sources told The Vertical.
Those meetings are expected to happen in the next few days, sources said.
Minnesota owner Glen Taylor will be a part of the interviews that will include the executive firm Korn Ferry, which has been coordinating the search, league sources said.
Van Gundy, a former coach of the New York Knicks and Houston Rockets, is interested in returning to the sidelines as an NBA coach. He likely won’t have to wait much longer, as many teams are interested in his services. According to international reporter David Pick, The Brooklyn Nets are unlikely to be one of the teams he chooses.
Similarly, Thibodeau, a former Coach of the Year with the Chicago Bulls in 2011, is also being pursued by several teams looking for a new head coach. Amongst the mix of teams that include the Nets, Knicks, Lakers, Rockets, and more, the Timberwolves are the most appealing team available due to its promising young nucleus, as Wojnarowski noted:
The presence of rookie center Karl-Anthony Towns and a strong core of young talent make the Timberwolves’ job the most appealing on the coaching market.
Minnesota certainly prefers to finish its coaching search before the summer, when free agency begins. With several free agent coaches interested in the Wolves’ job, they likely will not have much difficulty in doing so.
UPDATE:
The Timberwolves have reportedly met with Thibodeau and they are planning on meeting with Jeff Van Gundy later today. Following from Marc Stein of ESPN.
Story going online with @WindhorstESPN: Wolves owner Glen Taylor interviewed Tom Thibodeau over the weekend and meets Jeff Van Gundy today
— Marc Stein (@ESPNSteinLine) April 18, 2016
