Timberwolves head coach Flip Saunders dies at 60

MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. (KMSP) - Minnesota Timberwolves head coach and president of basketball operations Flip Saunders passed away on Sunday at the age of 60. Saunders announced back in August he had been diagnosed with Hodgkin's Lymphoma. He originally took a leave of absence from the team in September after complications during his recovery. Assistant coach Sam Mitchell was named interim head coach at that time.

The Timberwolves released the following statement:

Saunders' basketball relationship with Minnesota goes back to 1974 when he played college basketball at the University of Minnesota. He first joined the Timberwolves organization in 1995 as general manager and was named head coach that December replacing Bill Blair. He also coached the Detroit Pistons from 2005-2008 and the Washington Wizards from 2009-2012.

Statement from Minnesota Timberwolves owner Glen Taylor:

Gov. Mark Dayton released a statement offering his condolences to the team and the Saunders family. 

“The Timberwolves have lost a brilliant leader, and Minnesota has lost an outstanding citizen. I extend my deepest condolences to Flip's team, family, and friends.”