Knicks News: New York plans to interview Mike Woodson for head coach
Former Knicks coach Mike Woodson will get a chance to return to New York.
As the New York Knicks 2019-20 season comes to a premature end, the team plans to move quickly in hiring a full-time coach, and in conducting their search, New York plans to interview former bench chief Mike Woodson for the job, according to Ian Begley of SNY.
Woodson coached the team from 2012-2014, during the brief period under James Dolan’s ownership when the franchise was a legitimate contender in the Eastern Conference.
The Indiana native had a 109-79 (.580) record in New York, the only coach with a winning percentage above .500 since Jeff Van Gundy stepped down in 2001.
Woodson was fired in 2014 after Phil Jackson took over as team president and the team stumbled following their 54-win season in 2012-13 that led them to the Eastern Conference Semifinals where they lost to the Indiana Pacers.
Since leaving the Knicks, the 62-year-old coach has worked as an assistant for Doc Rivers with the Clippers, before leaving that role in 2018.
The Knicks have been busy during the shutdown.
President Leon Rose has been keeping busy during the pandemic, reshaping his front office with the hires of Jazz executive and college scout Walt Perrin, along with pro scout Frank Zanin, and cap specialist Brock Aller.
Former Knicks assistant Tom Thibodeau has been widely reported as the leading candidate for the head coaching job; however, it appears Rose will perform his diligence in scanning possible candidates, including an expected interview with former Nets coach Kenny Atkinson, and others.
Interim coach Mike Miller is also expected to be considered for the full-time job, and if he doesn’t get it, he could retain a different role with the organization. After taking over for David Fizdale in December, the team improved from their dreadful 4-18 start to finish the season with a 21-45 record.