Bulls Officially Hire Fred Hoiberg as Coach

The Chicago Bulls announced today the hiring of Fred Hoiberg.  In accordance with team policy, terms of the contract were not announced.

Hoiberg, 42, is the 19^th head coach in franchise history.  For the last five seasons, he served as the head coach at Iowa State University.  In his five years at his alma mater, Hoiberg recorded a record of 115-56 (.673), as he guided the Cyclones to four-straight NCAA Tournament appearances (2012-2015), a first in school history.  He also orchestrated the biggest turnaround in Big 12 history, as the Cyclones improved from 3-13 in conference play in 2010-11 to 12-6 in 2011-12.

“In Fred, we feel that we’ve got a guy who has a terrific package of skills: a winning coach, a natural leader and a great communicator,” said Chicago Bulls General Manager Gar Forman.  “He is a guy that has played in the league, has been an executive in the league and has had unparalleled success coaching at Iowa State—winning multiple Big 12 Championships, consistently having nationally-ranked teams and NCAA tournament teams.  There is no question that we think he’s the right fit and that he will maximize the potential of this team.”

During his tenure in Ames, his teams posted four straight 20-win seasons, highlighted by the Cyclones going 53-17 (.757) over his last two seasons.  He was named Big 12 Co-Coach of the Year in 2012 and he coached Iowa State to Big 12 Conference Championship titles in 2014 and 2015.  In his last three seasons on campus, his teams led the Big 12 in scoring with an average of 77.9 ppg, while ranking in the top-10 nationally in two of the seasons.  The Cyclones were one of two teams in the country to place in the top 15 in offensive efficiency in each of the past three seasons (lowest finish was 11^th).  While Hoiberg in Ames, Iowa State also led the country in assists per game (2013-14), three-point field goals made (2012-13), three-point field goals attempted (2012-13) and three-point field goals made per game (2012-13); in 2013-14, the Cyclones ranked second in the country in assist-to-turnover ratio. Additionally, over the last two seasons, Iowa State led the country in wins against top-25 teams with 18.

“I am very excited and thankful for the opportunity to coach the Chicago Bulls.  Everyone back in Ames knows what Iowa State means to me and my family.  I am closing a special chapter in my life and beginning a new one here in Chicago,” said Hoiberg.  “Being a head coach in the NBA has always been a goal of mine and to be able to do it at this time with the Bulls was the right fit for me.  Having played in the league for 10 years, and then worked in a front office of an NBA team for four years, I am ready to begin this next phase of my career and help this team win an NBA Championship.”

Prior to manning the sidelines at Iowa State, Hoiberg spent 14 seasons in the NBA, 10 as a player and the last four in the front office of the Minnesota Timberwolves.  As an executive, he spent one season (2009-10) as Vice President of Basketball Operations for the Timberwolves.  In that role, he oversaw the day-to-day operations of basketball programs including college and pro scouting, salary cap management and NBA Draft preparations.  He also served three seasons (2006-09) as the club’s Assistant General Manager.

via Bulls press release