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NBA: Ranking every active head coach by playing career

By Corey Rausch

March 23, 2021; San Francisco, California, USA; Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr during the fourth quarter against the Philadelphia 76ers at Chase Center. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
March 23, 2021; San Francisco, California, USA; Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr during the fourth quarter against the Philadelphia 76ers at Chase Center. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /
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Tom Thibodeau
Tom Thibodeau (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images) /

Every NBA head coach ranked by playing career: 24. Tom Thibodeau

If Tom Thibodeau played as hard as he screams from the sidelines, he would have been much higher on this list. Thibodeau was certainly a grinder as a player and had a solid career, making it to the Division III level. He played four seasons for Salem State College, being named the captain of the team in his senior season.

During his run at Salem State, the school won consecutive Division III national championships, led by Thibodeau on the court. However, a year after his playing career ended the future defensive guru found himself already on the bench, as an assistant at his alma mater. He was an assistant for three seasons before taking over as the head coach for a single season.

This began his journey as a longtime assistant coach, with stops at Harvard, the Minnesota Timberwolves, San Antonio Spurs, Philadelphia 76ers, New York Knicks and Houston Rockets.

After spending two separate stints under coach Jeff Van Gundy, he moved on to be the associate head coach under Doc Rivers. That led to his head coaching stops with the Chicago Bulls, Minnesota Timberwolves and now – the New York Knicks. Given the amount of work he did on and off the court to get to where he is today, it is easy to understand why he demands so much of his players.