Report: Knicks will reach out to Jay Wright about head coaching job

The New York Knicks fired head coach Jeff Hornacek after the team returned home from its season finale in Cleveland, and several big names have already been mentioned as possibilities to replace him. One of them has won a national championship more recently than all the others.

Frank Isola of the New York Daily News reports that the Knicks intend to reach out to Villanova head coach Jay Wright. A source told Isola that some in the Knicks front office feel Wright would be perfect for the rebuilding project that is underway in New York.

The chances seem slim, however. Wright has won two national championships in the past three years, and he made it seem like he has no intention of leaving after capturing his most recent title. A person close to Wright told Isola that it would take “a lot” for Wright to leave Villanova.

“He told me years ago that he wanted to make Villanova into the Duke of the Northeast,” the source said. “It would take a lot for him to leave.”

The Knicks went 31-51 and 29-53 under Hornacek, though this season was made far more difficult by the loss of Kristaps Porzingis. The Knicks are said to be looking at several other candidates for their coaching vacancy, and the job should be an attractive one because of the big market and the presence of Porzingis.