“Not many people have the opportunity to stay with one franchise for their entire career,” Tomjanovich said. “I have been so fortunate to be a part of the Rockets organization and to help it grow into one of the best in the NBA.”

The sentiment goes both ways. In March of 2000, Rockets owner Leslie Alexander showed his appreciation for Tomjanovich’s efforts by offering him a contract extension that will keep him as the Rockets head coach for several years to come.

“He’s a great coach, period,” Alexander said. “He’s brilliant. He does all his homework and then makes great decisions. We’re very fortunate in Houston that we have a team and a coach who can achieve the success that the Rockets want for our fans and the city.”

The accolades come from all directions. Whether it’s fellow coaches or NBA players, Tomjanovich’s reputation grows every day.

“Rudy has a real soft, but firm hand with the players, and it works,” Rockets General Manager Carroll Dawson said. “I’ve been coaching 35 years, and I’ve learned a lot watching the way he handles the team and individuals. They don’t always like what he gives them, but in their hearts, they know it’s what’s best for the team.”

The best testament of Tomjanovich’s coaching ability can come from former Rockets All-Star Hakeem Olajuwon. Because the two have been together since Olajuwon entered the league in 1984, the 7-foot center qualifies as an expert on Tomjanovich’s coaching style.

“He’s a winner - plain and simple,” Olajuwon said. “He has been so enjoyable to play for. He does not have an ego. It’s a wonderful attribute, not just as a coach but as a person. Rudy is completely sincere. He has a great commitment to his players and that is all you can ask for in a coach.”

Tomjanovich, who enters his 32nd consecutive season with the Rockets, has posted a 432-304 regular season mark (.587) and 51-39 playoff record (.567) in his 10 seasons as head coach. The Rockets have won both of their NBA Championships during his tenure and the club has made the playoffs in seven of these seasons.

Tomjanovich has received many well-deserved accolades as a head coach, including being named the head coach of the Western Conference team for the 1997 NBA All-Star Game. He also was selected The Sporting News NBA Coach of the Year (voted by coaches) for the 1992-93 season, coming within one vote of winning the NBA Coach of the Year honors - the closest vote in the history of the award. He has three times been named the NBA’s Coach of the Month (April 1993, November 1993 and November 1996).

After enjoying such success on the sidelines with the Rockets, Rudy Tomjanovich gained international glory in the summer of 2000 by winning a gold medal for the United States in the Olympic Games. Tomjanovich guided the United States Men’s Basketball Team to an undefeated record in Australia.

“Representing my country in the Olympics has been a dream for me,” Tomjanovich said. “I feel honored to have had this opportunity and blessed to go through this experience.”

In 1998, Tomjanovich was first selected as the head coach of the USA Basketball senior national team - becoming just the fourth NBA coach to earn that honor (along with Chuck Daly, Don Nelson and Lenny Wilkens). He then spent that summer leading the USA team to a bronze medal at the World Championship of Basketball before being named the Olympic coach.

“It was a very easy decision for the committee to choose Rudy because his accomplishments speak for themselves,” said Rod Thorn, then-chairman of USA Basketball’s senior men’s national team committee. “He obviously is one of the best coaches in all the world of basketball, not only in the NBA, but taking in everybody who coaches basketball. Rudy has a special talent. He’s done a wonderful job in Houston.”