Mike D'Antoni Resigns: 5 Coaches We'd Like to See Take Over the Knicks' Throne

As Yahoo! Sports first reported, Mike D'Antoni has resigned as head coach of the New York Knicks. ESPN's Ric Bucher recently confirmed the report.

While most were surprised by the heavily criticized D'Antoni's resignation, it did not come without merit. ESPN New York reported that D'Antoni had lost control of the Knicks' locker room after their recent loss to the Chicago Bulls.

While some may grieve, the Knicks have no time to do so. They must act swiftly and smartly as they bring in D'Antoni's replacement, targeting only the quintessential fit.

Fortunately for the struggling organization, I have the answer to their issues right here.

Brian Shaw

Brian Shaw made a living as an NBA point guard for 14 years, winning three NBA championships and making the NBA Second All-Rookie Team in 1989. As an assistant coach, Shaw spent seven years with the Los Angeles Lakers under Phil Jackson and is currently coaching alongside Frank Vogel in Indiana.

While Shaw isn't the big-name acquisition the Knicks are likely to be looking for, his championship pedigree, which includes an additional two titles as a coach, is impossible to overlook.

Elston Turner

Elston Turner, current assistant coach and defensive coordinator for the Phoenix Suns, is a name that teams are soon to know.

He's sitting behind Alvin Gentry at the moment, but spent time with Rick Adelman down in Houston. While he doesn't have the name value of the other coaches on this list, he's a man who could instantly improve the Knicks' defense.

You know, their biggest need.

Jerry Sloan

After 23 years at the helm, Jerry Sloan was run out of Utah by Deron Williams and the Jazz brass. Just one year later, CBS Sports is reporting that Sloan is interested in returning to the sidelines. For the Knicks.

Over Sloan's 23 years with the Jazz, the future Hall of Famer missed the playoffs just four times. He left with 1,221 wins, a win percentage of .603 and 98 playoff victories. If he could do it with Stockton and Malone, why not with Lin and Stoudemire?

Mike Budenholzer

Most fans don't know who Budenholzer is. All they really need to know, however, is that he has been an assistant coach with the San Antonio Spurs for the past 16 seasons. The Spurs have made the playoffs in all but one of those years, including four NBA championships.

Products of the Gregg Popovich system include the Bulls' Tom Thibodeau and the Lakers' Mike Brown. So tell me, why wouldn't you take the chance?

Phil Jackson

If anyone can tame the egos on the Knicks' roster, who better than the Zen Master himself, Phil Jackson?

Jackson retired with 11 NBA Championships, 1,154 wins, a win percentage of .704 and 229 playoff victories in 333 games. Maybe most impressive of all, Jackson has never missed the playoffs in a single one of his 20 years as a head coach.

If the Knicks want to win a title, there is no one better for the job than Jackson.