After firing their most successful coach in decades, the Knicks are searching for a new leader for the 2025-26 season.
Parting ways with Tom Thibodeau following New York’s first Eastern Conference Finals appearance in 25 years was a controversial decision, but team president Leon Rose believes a new voice is needed to bring the team a championship.
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The Knicks’ job is drawing widespread interest, and the team is casting a wide net in its search. Plenty of names, big and small, are being thrown around as possible hires.
Here are the latest rumors surrounding the Knicks’ coaching search.
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Jason Kidd, Knicks have “mutual interest”
While the Mavericks haven’t reportedly given New York permission to speak with Kidd, it appears that Kidd is interested in the job. However, he is still under contract with Dallas and can’t do anything unless the Mavericks allow it, which could lead to a trade between the two teams.
Jay Wright will not come out of retirement for the Knicks job
Rothstein reports that Jay Wright is happily retired and has no interest in returning to coaching for the Knicks. He coached current New York players Jalen Brunson, Mikal Bridges and Josh Hart to national titles at Villanova.
Dan Hurley does not want the Knicks job
Amore, a reporter for the Hartford Courant, writes that UConn’s Dan Hurley does not want the Knicks head coaching job. “Not another summer of that,” Hurley told Amore, referring to his serious consideration for the Lakers job last year, which ultimately went to JJ Reddick.
Knicks expected to ask for permission to interview Jason Kidd
Stein reports that the Knicks are looking into the Mavericks head coach. Kidd played for the Knicks in 2012-13, his final NBA season, and coached Jalen Brunson in Dallas. The Mavericks can deny any request to interview their current head coach.
*This section will be updated
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Why did the Knicks fire Tom Thibodeau?
The Knicks’ decision to fire Thibodeau came after the franchise’s deepest postseason run in 25 years, but team president Leon Rose felt that the team had reached its ceiling under the head coach.
.@nyknicks Announce Coaching Change pic.twitter.com/XhWOUSwWvn
— NY Knicks PR (@NY_KnicksPR) June 3, 2025
“Our organization is singularly focused on winning a championship for our fans,” Rose said in an official release. “Ultimately, we made the decision we feel is best for our organization moving forward.”
One of the biggest concerns with Thibodeau as a head coach is his reliance on playing starters heavy minutes during the regular season and postseason. ESPN’s Shams Charania reported during a spot on the Pat McAfee Show that New York “might be looking for a guy that trusts their bench more.”
