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Fred Hoiberg is making the jump. He is the third big time college coach that has or will be making the jump to the NBA. Hoiberg has reportedly signed a 5-year, $25 million deal with the Chicago Bulls.
Bulls make the Hoiberg hiring official — and college hoops has now lost Brad Stevens, Billy Donovan and Hoiberg to NBA in last two years.
— Jeff Goodman (@GoodmanESPN) June 2, 2015
I think that the question in everyone’s mind is the following: “Is he ready?”
Many in Chicago were not happy when they fired Tom Thibodeau. Many thought that he had done a great job with the Bulls in his five-year tenure. Thibodeau had 21 years of NBA experience as an assistant with six different teams including the Minnesota Timberwolves, San Antonio Spurs, Philadelphia 76ers, New York Knicks, Houston Rockets, and then the Boston Celtics. He had worked under some great head coaches and was a defense guru. If anyone had experience and credibility to take over an NBA team, it was Thibodeau. He had an amazing 255-139 record in the five years he was there. They finished 1st or 2nd every year in the Central but with two losses in the first round and no championship appearances, they showed him the door.
Even though Hoiberg may not be ready for the NBA in many individuals’ minds, he had to be the choice for the Bulls when they fired Thibodeau. They had to know that he would come to them and thus the firing of Thibodeau. So, then the question becomes the following: “Who is Hoiberg?”
Age: 42
High School Achievement: Mr. Basketball and led team to State Championship
College Basketball: He was a “rock star” at Iowa State. One of the best players ever to play for the Iowa State Cyclones. He finished with 1,993 points, 748 rebounds, and 350 assists in 126 games.
Pro Basketball: He was selected by the Indiana Pacers with the 52nd pick. He played for them for 4 years and then he moved to the Chicago Bulls. He played for the Bulls for our years and had his best years with him. He then finished his career off with two years with the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Coaching Career: He has had only one coaching tenure and that comes from the college that he was the rock star at (Iowa State). He was there for five years and finished with a 115-56 record (.673). This came after a rough start where in year one when they were 16-16 with a 3-13 record in the Big 12.
In the last four years, he led the Cyclones to the NCAA tourney and had two “Sweet 16” appearances. However, this past year, they were bounced in the Round of 64.
Homecoming. The Chicago Bulls are bringing a guy to Chicago that has been in the city. They are hoping that he will do for Chicago, a team that he played for, what he did for Iowa State, the other team who he played for. The good news, he is stepping into a team that is primed for success and has multiple All-Stars. They have a “big three”.
Final Question: If the Bulls go to the championship, will it be because of the team and health or will it be because of Coach Hoiberg?