SportsFullCircle

After fifteen years with the Minnesota Timberwolves, Kevin McHale has called it quits. The 51-year old from Hibbing, Minnesota won three NBA titles with the Boston Celtics in the 1980s.

“I was willing to come back, but they never offered me a contract,” said McHale. “They told me last week they were going in a different direction. I said, ‘I think you’re making a mistake, but that’s up to you guys.’”

McHale joined the organization in 1994 as a television analysi and special assistant; later that summer, Timberwolves owner Glen Taylor, whom McHale formed a tight bond with, promoted Kevin to Assistant General manager.

“Kevin McHale is a great coach,” said Timberwolves forward Mark Madsen. “I’m a little bit surprised by this news, and I was hoping to play for him next season, and I guess that’s not going to happen now.”

In 2005, McHale took over coaching duties after firing Flilp Saunders; he went 19-12 during the remainder of that season. McHale then went 20-43 during his second coaching stint, which started after the firing of Randy Wittman.

McHale is one of six members of the 1985-1986 Boston Celtics to serve as an NBA head coach.