It's Tom Time: Sources Report Thibodeau Wins Coach of the Year

By Angie Wiatrowski in News on May 1, 2011 6:00PM

After being an assistant coach for 20 years and leading the Bulls to a league-best 62-20 record, coach Tom Thibodeau will be named NBA's Coach of the Year today, sources told the Chicago Tribune.

Thibodeau has had successful stints with Jeff Van Gundy and the Knicks and Doc Rivers with the Celtics before leading the seemingly injury-prone Bulls to the league's No. 1 seed. His successful "bench mob" was the key to maintaining dominance despite major injuries suffered by Carlos Boozer and Joakim Noah. He also added three Eastern Conference Coach of the Month awards to his wall of fame. He is the Bulls' first Coach of the Year winner since Phil Jackson.

Thibodeau replaced Vinny Del Negro in June and inherited a rebuilt Bulls' roster, bringing Chicago back among the league elite. The only other head coaching job he has held was Division III Salem State in the mid-1980's after serving as assistant coach for three years.

The Bulls are expected to hold a press conference at 3:30 p.m. Sunday at the Berto Center. You can watch a free live stream of the press conference here.