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NY Knicks: Ranking the best head coaches in franchise history

By Jeffrey Bellone

13 Feb 2001: Head Coach Jeff Van Gundy of the New York Knicks motions on the sidelines during the game against the Denver Nuggets at the Pepsi Center in Denver, Colorado. The Nuggets defeated the Knicks 96-77. NOTE TO USER: It is expressly understood that the only rights Allsport are offering to license in this Photograph are one-time, non-exclusive editorial rights. No advertising or commercial uses of any kind may be made of Allsport photos. User acknowledges that it is aware that Allsport is an editorial sports agency and that NO RELEASES OF ANY TYPE ARE OBTAINED from the subjects contained in the photographs.Mandatory Credit: Brian Bahr /Allsport
13 Feb 2001: Head Coach Jeff Van Gundy of the New York Knicks motions on the sidelines during the game against the Denver Nuggets at the Pepsi Center in Denver, Colorado. The Nuggets defeated the Knicks 96-77. NOTE TO USER: It is expressly understood that the only rights Allsport are offering to license in this Photograph are one-time, non-exclusive editorial rights. No advertising or commercial uses of any kind may be made of Allsport photos. User acknowledges that it is aware that Allsport is an editorial sports agency and that NO RELEASES OF ANY TYPE ARE OBTAINED from the subjects contained in the photographs.Mandatory Credit: Brian Bahr /Allsport /
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13 Feb 2001: Head Coach Jeff Van Gundy of the New York Knicks (Brian Bahr /Allsport) /

Who are the best head coaches in NY Knicks history?

As the wheels continue to turn in some remote location where the powers of Madison Square Garden’s basketball operation are deciding who will be the next New York Knicks head coach, I thought it would be fun to take a pause from the speculation and focus on the names who have already done their work along the Knicks sideline.

The organization finds themselves searching for their sixth head coach, including interim appointments, since 2014. Not since Woodson led the Knicks to 54 wins in that magical 2012-13 season has New York been able to put together a roster and coach capable of finishing anywhere near the playoffs.

There was Derek Fisher. There was Jeff Hornacek. There was David Fizdale. And a few interims in-between. Mike Miller did an admirable job filling in for Fizdale this past season, and his name remains in contention for the full-time position, even though he is most likely seen as an assistant candidate.

But as I said in the intro, we are not here to focus on the current.

For all of the recent failures along the bench, the Knicks do have a rich history of head coaches. Before James Dolan became owner of the team, while there were plenty of seasons when the results weren’t always up to par, several coaches made their mark on the league, from Hubie Brown to Rick Pitino.

Without further ado, let’s rank the best head coaches in Knicks history.

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