If the New York Knicks want their next head coach to have strong ties to the Big East Conference, they may need to look beyond the current coaches in the league. St. John’s coach Rick Pitino has declined interest in the Knicks’ coaching vacancy, while Dan Hurley of UConn has remained tight-lipped on the subject.
Hurley, who expressed interest in the Los Angeles Lakers head coach position last offseason but declined it due to his connection to the Northeast, has not publicly confirmed any desire to join the Knicks. College basketball analyst Jon Fanta of Fox Sports noted that while Hurley is unlikely to repeat last summer’s move, he probably would not leave his UConn position for the Knicks.
Hurley recently agreed to a six-year, $50 million extension with UConn following a near three-peat run in national championships. Meanwhile, Pitino’s St. John’s team, which won both the Big East regular season and tournament titles for the first time in decades, has made him a highly popular figure in New York City. However, Pitino explicitly stated that he is not interested in the Knicks head coaching role after Tom Thibodeau’s recent firing, emphasizing the immense pressure on whoever fills the position to elevate the team further.
Pitino, a New York native aged 72, previously coached the Knicks between 1987-89 and also led the Boston Celtics from 1997-2001. With Pitino out of the running and Hurley uncertain, the Knicks have other candidates, including Denver Nuggets’ Michael Malone, Cleveland Cavaliers’ Johnny Bryant, and former Villanova coach Jay Wright, though Wright is unlikely to leave his current situation.
The Knicks are also reportedly interested in Houston Rockets’ Ime Udoka and Dallas Mavericks’ Jason Kidd, though Houston is not inclined to negotiate Udoka’s departure. The firing of Thibodeau surprised many, given his success in leading the Knicks to their best playoff performance in 25 years, including an Eastern Conference Finals appearance. Pitino admitted he was shocked by the decision but acknowledged the team’s right to move forward.
Fan Take: This coaching search is crucial because it could reshape the Knicks’ future and influence the broader NBA landscape. Choosing the right leader will be pivotal in maintaining the team’s upward trajectory and excitement among fans in one of basketball’s biggest markets.
