The New York Knicks are officially in the market for a new head coach following the shocking dismissal of Tom Thibodeau on Tuesday.
Thibodeau, affectionately known as “Thibs,” helped restore the Knicks’ credibility during his five-year tenure, guiding the team to four playoff appearances and culminating in their deepest postseason run in 25 years this spring.
But after the team’s collapse in the Eastern Conference Finals against the Indiana Pacers, the Knicks leadership decided it was time for a change — perhaps frustrated by Thibodeau’s rigidity, especially when it came to his rotation.
Thibodeau always seemed a move or two behind Pacers head coach Rick Carlisle in their six-game chess match. Carlisle used the regular season to tinker and experiment with lineups, while Thibodeau ran his starters into the ground.
Who Replaces Thibodeau? Not Pitino
So the Thibodeau era is over. And the biggest question in the NBA right now is arguably not who will win the Finals, but who will be the next Knicks head coach.
The list of potential replacements is already being debated by fans and insiders alike. But one name can be crossed off early: Rick Pitino.
Pitino, who has revived New York City’s beloved St. John’s basketball program as head coach, made it clear he isn’t interested in returning to the Knicks — a team he once led from 1987 to 1989, including a run to the Atlantic Division title.
The reason? Age.
Speaking on WFAN radio Wednesday afternoon, Pitino said:
“I can assure you that a 73-year-old is not coaching 100 games anymore.”
He did, however, offer a warning about the magnitude of the job.
Pitino Reacts With ‘Shock’ to Thibodeau Firing
Pitino told WFAN’s Brandon Tierney and Sal Licata on their midday show: “I was actually sitting in shock when I heard [of Thibodeau’s dismissal].”
“The pressure on this new coach, whoever it may be, is going to be probably the biggest amount of pressure I’ve seen in all my tenure rooting for the Knicks.”
Pitino added that in his view, the Knicks’ downfall this postseason had more to do with the players than the coaching staff.
Pitino on Who Should Replace Thibodeau
Though Pitino ruled himself out of the running, he didn’t shy away from evaluating some of the names floated as potential successors — and made clear just how difficult the job will be.
“Short of the Eastern Conference Finals, anything is going to be a disaster,” he said, warning that the pressure on the next Knicks head coach “is going to be probably the biggest amount of pressure I’ve seen in all my tenure rooting for the Knicks.”
Here’s how he assessed a few potential candidates:
Johnnie Bryant
Formerly a Knicks assistant, Bryant is a natural candidate. Pitino didn’t dismiss him outright but questioned whether a first-time head coach should be thrown into the fire in a “championship-or-bust” environment.
“He may be terrific,” Pitino said, “but you’re throwing an unknown commodity into a situation where you better get to the Finals.” He added that being a “players’ coach” isn’t enough — it’s about strategy, not likability.
Jason Kidd
Pitino called Kidd a proven winner and a coach with broad shoulders — but noted that prying him away from Dallas would likely require a bold move, such as a trade.
“Why would Jason Kidd take the job?” he asked, pointing to Kidd’s success in Dallas. “Is he a free agent? No… We’re supposed to make a trade?”
Jay Wright
The former Villanova head coach got Pitino’s strongest endorsement.
“Jay Wright makes a lot of sense, obviously,” Pitino said. “He’s got the charisma, he’s got the personality to handle New York.”
Still, Pitino acknowledged that coaching NBA stars is a very different challenge from managing college players. “Personally, I think Jay Wright would be a home run,” he said. “Can you get him to do it? I’m not sure.”
Pitino ultimately believes the next coach — whoever it is — will need more than just tactical skill. They’ll need toughness, credibility, and the ability to survive in a city that expects nothing short of a title.
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