The Chicago Bulls named San Antonio Spurs assistant Jim Boylen as associate head coach Wednesday on Fred Hoiberg’s new staff.
Hoiberg wanted Boyle for his defensive coaching prowess and to help him make the move up from college. Hoiberg left Iowa State to become the Bulls’ 19th head coach on June 1.
Boylen, 50, comes to Chicago with 29 years of coaching experience, including 17 years of service in the NBA. He spent last two seasons on Gregg Popovich’s staff in San Antonio.
“I am very excited to add Jim to our staff as our associate head coach,” Hoiberg said in a statement. “His track record speaks for itself with nearly 30 years of coaching experience and three NBA championships on his resume. His work ethic and attention to detail will help our team every day, and I look forward to working with him as we prepare for next season.”
Boylen entered the NBA in 1992-93 with the Houston Rockets, where he broke in as the team’s video coordinator/scout. Following four seasons in that role, he was promoted to assistant coach on Rudy Tomjanovich’s staff.
In addition to his stints with the Spurs and Rockets, Boylen has served as an assistant coach with Golden State (2003-04), Milwaukee (2004-05) and Indiana (2011-13).
“We are fortunate to be able to add someone with the credentials that Jim has,” Bulls general manager Gar Forman said. “He will be a big asset to Fred and our players.”
Following a collegiate career at the University of Maine, Boylen began his coaching career as an assistant coach under Jud Heathcote at Michigan State. In 2005, after 13 seasons in the NBA, he returned to East Lansing, where he served as Tom Izzo’s top assistant.
In March 2007, after two seasons in his second stint with the Spartans, Boylen was named head coach at the University of Utah. He spent four seasons with the Utes and guided them to a record of 69-60 and a trip to the 2009 NCAA Tournament.