After firing their most successful coach in decades, the Knicks are searching for a new leader for the 2025-26 season.
Parting ways with Tom Thibodeau following New York’s first Eastern Conference Finals appearance in 25 years was a controversial decision, but team president Leon Rose believes a new voice is needed to bring the team a championship.
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The Knicks’ job is drawing widespread interest, and the team is casting a wide net in its search. Plenty of names, big and small, are being thrown around as possible hires.
Here are the latest rumors surrounding the Knicks’ coaching search.
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Knicks coaching rumors tracker
Knicks expected to ask for permission to interview Jason Kidd
Stein reports that the Knicks are looking into the Mavericks head coach. Kidd played for the Knicks in 2012-13, his final NBA season, and coached Jalen Brunson in Dallas. The Mavericks can deny any request to interview their current head coach.
*This section will be updated
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Why did the Knicks fire Tom Thibodeau?
The Knicks’ decision to fire Thibodeau came after the franchise’s deepest postseason run in 25 years, but team president Leon Rose felt that the team had reached its ceiling under the head coach.
.@nyknicks Announce Coaching Change pic.twitter.com/XhWOUSwWvn
— NY Knicks PR (@NY_KnicksPR) June 3, 2025
“Our organization is singularly focused on winning a championship for our fans,” Rose said in an official release. “Ultimately, we made the decision we feel is best for our organization moving forward.”
One of the biggest concerns with Thibodeau as a head coach is his reliance on playing starters heavy minutes during the regular season and postseason. ESPN’s Shams Charania reported during a spot on the Pat McAfee Show that New York “might be looking for a guy that trusts their bench more.”
