The search for a new coach for the Knicks has gone from somewhat disorganized to quite embarrassing. Interestingly, one of their former coaches, Rick Pitino, has voiced that he’s not interested in the job.
Nonetheless, Pitino is advocating for one of his former players and proposed Mark Jackson as a prime candidate.
At first glance, Jackson, who hasn’t coached in over ten years, expressed heartfelt appreciation for Pitino’s backing. “He’s a legend. I love him,” he said during an interview on SiriusXM NBA radio, recalling their time together with the Knicks when Pitino was his coach.
Jackson, who earned the NBA Rookie of the Year title under Pitino in 1988, went on to be an All-Star the following year. He reflected, “I wouldn’t have been in the league for 17 years if he wasn’t my first coach. I’m forever grateful; he’s like a father to me.”
Jackson also praised Pitino’s return to coaching at St. John’s College, emphasizing the joy of watching his mentor revive his earlier success. “He’s one of the greatest coaches in basketball history,” he added.
The Knicks’ decision to fire Tom Thibodeau just days after their first Eastern Conference Finals exit since 2000 was questionable at best.
In the aftermath, Knicks President Leon Rose faced setbacks trying to connect with names like Jason Kidd, Ime Udoka, Chris Finch, Quinn Snyder, and Billy Donovan, who all declined the opportunity for interviews.
Reports indicate that the Knicks plan to interview former Grizzlies coach Taylor Jenkins and former Kings coach Mike Brown, though messages to their representatives went unanswered over the weekend.
While there’s no clear indication that Jackson is a frontrunner, Pitino used social media to advocate for him earlier this week. “I coached our Rookie of the Year, Mark Jackson. He is brilliant and has an incredible basketball mind,” Pitino tweeted, highlighting Jackson’s long NBA career and his coaching potential.
Coming from Brooklyn and having played for the Knicks during his 17-year career, Jackson adds a personal touch to his potential return to New York.
Jackson previously coached Golden State from 2011 to 2014, where he helped transform a struggling team into a competitive force. However, despite a respectable playoff record, he was let go in 2014 and hasn’t taken a coaching position since.
In other updates, former Villanova coach Jay Wright has reportedly declined interest in the Knicks’ position, despite the presence of former Wildcats Jalen Brunson, Mikal Bridges, and Josh Hart. UConn’s Dan Hurley also appears to have ruled himself out. Coaches with recent championships—Michael Malone, Frank Vogel, and Mike Budenholzer—are also off the table for now.
