Who Will Be The Next Coach of the New York Knicks?

The New York Knicks are going to do everything they possibly can to keep Carmelo Anthony from fleeing this summer in free agency, and part of that strategy includes bringing in a high profile coach to replace the struggling Mike Woodson. In my opinion, at 18 games under .500, Woodson should be terminated right now so the Knicks can be given a wake-up call, but according to multiple sources, the hammer won't come down on Woodson until after the season.

Here's a list of five possible candidates who I think will be a fit in New York and potentially lure Melo back to MSG.




1. Jeff Van Gundy

Even though he quit on the Knicks back in 2001, I think Jeff Van Gundy is the best candidate to replace Mike Woodson. Van Gundy's early success with the Knicks was unparalleled, having led the Knicks to eight playoff series wins. Thirteen years after his departure in 2001, the Knicks have won just one playoff series,and it doesn't look like they'll be winning one this season, so bringing back the last man to have success in New York as a coach is quite appealing. In fact, in eight of his full seasons as head coach of the Knicks and Rockets, Van Gundy accumulated over 50 wins in half of them. It's unclear if Van Gundy would seriously entertain a return back to coaching, especially for Jim Dolan and the New York Knicks, but I think he's best-equipped to steer the ship right in the big apple. If your a Knick fan reading this, it may be time to turn the clocks back to 99' and start cheering Van Gundy's name over and over again at MSG for the duration of the season.


2. Tom Thibodeau

Most people around the NBA would argue that Thibodeau is the best coach in the NBA and can completely overturn the Knicks dysfunctional culture instantly, but Thibodeau, a CAA client, has three years left on his contract with the Chicago Bulls. Despite the multiple reports of his damaged relationship with Bulls GM Gar Forman, I don't see the Bulls giving him up without significant, and I stress the word significant, compensation - especially with the new rumors of Joakim Noah pitching the Bulls to Carmelo Anthony over the All-Star Game weekend. Unfortunately for the Knicks, I don't think they have any assets to spare on a trade to the Bulls for their head coach.

3. Mark Jackson

Mark Jackson has one year left on his contract with the Golden State Warriors, and his future there will largely depend on the teams post-season success. The more and more I think about it, Jackson, a Queens, N.Y. native and a former St. John's Red Storm and New York Knick player seems to be a great fit to succeed Woodson. He's a New Yorker's New Yorker and would be a popular pick to be the next head coach who wouldn't settle for the lack of effort displayed by the Knicks all season long in front of Mike Woodson.


4. Billy Donovan

Donovan, a former New York Knick player as well, has a chance to win his third National Title as head coach of the Florida Gators this March. The 48 year old, after almost committing to the Orlando Magic in 2007, may finally be ready for a career change and a jump to the NBA. Even though the Long Island Native turned down Isiah Thomas' attempt to hire him as head coach of he Knicks in the past, the timing may finally be right. If there's any team Donovan might consider leaving his 18 year career at  Florida for, it'll be to the New York Knicks, the only team he ever wanted to play for growing up.

5. John Calipari

He didn't have a lot of fun getting bumped out of the NIT by Robert Morris University last year, and he doesn't appear to be having much fun coaching the 22-8 Kentucky Wildcats this year. He's already the winner of a National Title, and has long been eager to return to the ranks of an NBA head coach after his failed run with the New Jersey Nets. It's makes sense for the Knicks to consider Calipari for numerous reasons. For starters, he already admitted he would have left Kentucky in a heartbeat to join the Brooklyn Nets if they traded for Carmelo Anthony back in 2010. Second, he's used to running things his way, and his way only. He won't be a pushover like Woodson. The Knicks have extraordinary ties with CAA, and Calipari, a client of CAA is all ears. With Calipari in town, former Kentucky Wildcats may express mutual interest in joining the Knicks. Can you imagine the likes of John Wall, Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, or Demarcus Cousins coming to the big apple in the future to play for their former coach?

It's also worth noting that ESPN reports leaked that the Knicks reached out to the legendary Phil Jackson this morning. According to Stephan A. Smith the Knicks chances of signing Phil Jackson as their next head coach is 'slim to none,' but this is the same Stephen A. Smith who also said Carmelo Anthony would be gone at the NBA Trade Deadline.

Non the less the name of the game is to keep Camrelo Anthony happy. Let's see who the next New York Knicks head coach will be in the coming months.