New York Knicks: Five worst coaches in team history

4) Derek Fisher (2014 – 2016)

When Phil Jackson hired Derek Fisher to a five-year, lucrative contract to coach the triangle, or something like it, Fisher had no experience coaching basketball at any level of play. After swinging and missing in recruiting Steve Kerr, Fisher became the Knicks consolation prize.

The inexperienced coach finished with the worst record in franchise history at the time (17-65). He was fired 54 games into his second season, after piling up nearly 100 losses, his final record with New York a dismal 40-96 (.294). Only David Fizdale has a worse record among Knicks coaches who lasted more than one season.

The situation with Fisher was doomed from the start. Making the transition from the sideline to the executive office was an awkward one for Phil Jackson. It made it difficult for Fisher to succeed under his own validity, with Jackson often times seen talking to players at practice about the principles of the triangle.

Fisher was eventually named head coach of the Los Angeles Sparks in the WNBA, a role he currently holds. The team went 22-12 during his first season, and lost to the Connecticut Sun in the Conference Finals.