Timberwolves Name Rick Adelman New Head Coach

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) – The Minnesota Timberwolves don't know yet if they'll have a 2011-12 season because of the current NBA lockout, but they named Rick Adelman the team's new head coach at a news conference on Wednesday.

After what David Kahn labeled a thorough search and interview process, the organization agreed to terms with Adelman last week. Adelman becomes the franchise's 10th head coach and replaces Kurt Rambis, who was fired on July 12.

In two seasons with the Timberwolves, Rambis managed a dismal 32-132 record.

WCCO's Chad Hartman Interviews New Head Coach Rick Adelman

The Timberwolves interviewed several candidates for the coaching position, including former player Sam Mitchell, but the organization ultimately decided Adelman was the best fit to try and get the team back to respectability.

Adelman, 65, has a career head coaching record of 945-616, meaning he's won more than 60 percent of games he's coached in his career. He has previously coached Portland, Golden State, Sacramento and Houston. In his 20 seasons as a head coach, his teams have made 16 playoff appearances. He said while he's towards the end of his coaching career, he felt it was the right time to take a chance with the Timberwolves and try to turn it into a winning organization.

"I felt I'd rather do it now and take a situation that was something I could build on. I thought a lot about it and so I'm going to take the challenge and see how it goes. Hopefully we can turn it around, and as a coach that's what's satisfying," Adelman said.

While Adelman addressed the media on Wednesday, he couldn't say much about the team due to league rules with the NBA lockout. He couldn't comment on specific players and the terms of his contract have not been released.

Fan attendance has been down the last several years was the result of a losing product. Adelman is an established and well-respected name in the NBA coaching world. The hope for the team is that more wins translates to more fans at the Target Center.

"I think what they're looking for is a team that's going to go out there and compete. If they compete and they play hard, they'll be successful. That's what the people are waiting for, the fans will be there if you compete," Adelman said.