[6][7] He was an All-NCC selection and All-NCC Tournament choice in his senior year and ended his collegiate career with averages of 5.1 points and 2.9 rebounds per game; he also averaged 6.5 assists in conference play and placed second in school history in career assists (678) and steals (215).

[7] He was named the Argus-Leader Player of the Year as a senior and was inducted into the South Dakota Coyotes Hall of Fame in 2014.

[5][7] Tibbetts began his coaching career after he graduated from the University of South Dakota in 2001, becoming an assistant for the Sioux Falls Cougars of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA).

[11] He joined the Cleveland Cavaliers of the National Basketball Association (NBA) in the 2011–12 season as assistant coach.

[14][15] During his stint at Portland, he was interviewed several times for vacant head coaching positions, including with the Memphis Grizzlies, Atlanta Hawks and Cleveland Cavaliers.