Iowa State head coach Fred Hoiberg is a potential candidate for the Bulls should they part ways with Tom Thibodeau, writes Tim Kawakami of the Bay Area News Group. The Bulls and Thibodeau have consistently downplayed rumors that they’d part ways this season, but other teams appear willing to test their relationship, as reports have indicated the Lakers and Warriors will ask the Bulls for permission to interview Thibodeau for their vacancies.
Hoiberg has been linked to the Warriors and Wolves, though it appears unlikely he’d take the Wolves job. Hoiberg is in the midst of a long-term deal with Iowa State, and the school recently raised his annual salary to $2.6MM. Thibodeau has multiple seasons remaining on his contract with Chicago.
The Warriors appear to have Steve Kerr atop their list, but Hoiberg’s name isn’t far behind, according to Kawakami. Golden State would have keen interest in Thibodeau if he were available, Kawakami writes, though that would probably be true of any number of teams across the league, given Thibodeau’s reputation as an elite bench boss.