The New York Knicks are once again searching for a new head coach, and there have been doubts about whether they will be able to attract top candidates given the current state of the franchise. However, Tom Thibodeau would apparently have no problem working for James Dolan.
Thibodeau is very interested in the Knicks job and wants to become the team’s next head coach, Marc Berman of the New York Post reports. The former Minnesota Timberwolves coach and president of basketball operations has been actively looking for a job since he was fired a little over a year ago, and a person close to him says he would join the Knicks without hesitation.
“He really wants the Knick job,” one of Thibodeau’s confidants told Berman. “He can taste it and he may even be in the lead.”
Thibodeau is said to be on new Knicks president Leon Rose’s short list of coaching candidates, so the interest may be mutual. Thibodeau worked as an assistant coach with the Knicks from 1996-2004. He also has past ties to Rose from Rose’s time working as an agent for CAA, and the addition of Rose in New York is said to have made Thibodeau even more interested in the job.
“Rose has always been known as much more ethical than most agents, and if he can deliver players and let a strong coach coach, this could work out,” Berman’s source said. “It’s never a sure thing because of ownership, but Thibs knows he can work with Rose and also knows he’d be able to bring in his people as well.”
The Knicks are reportedly considering at least one other big name coach, though it’s unclear if the interest is mutual. Thibodeau is viewed as one of the better defensive minds in basketball and is respected by some of the game’s top players, though he had some issues with one of his biggest stars in Minnesota.
If the Knicks are looking for a strong presence, Thibodeau might make sense for their head coaching job. However, that can sometimes backfire for a rebuilding team, which is something they need to consider.
