Thibodeau accepts 3-year contract

Chicago Tribune reports that the Bulls have hired Tom Thibodeau as the teams 18th head coach. Thibodeau accepted a 3-year contract with the team. The Bulls can't formally announce this until after the NBA Finals between the Lakers and Celtics.

Thibodeau was most recently the assistant coach to the Celtics and has served the same position for seven teams over 18 NBA seasons. With defense as his specialty, Thibodeau's teams have finished top 10 in defense 15 times.

His only experience as head coach was in 1984 for Salem (Mass.) State. After leaving Salem, he spent 4 years as assistant coach at Harvard before beginning his NBA career.