Knicks Rumors: Latest Buzz on New York Knicks' Head Coaching Search

After four years that were filled largely with disappointment, head coach Mike D'Antoni stepped down from his post with the New York Knicks yesterday. Assistant Mike Woodson was named the interim coach, and the team responded by blowing out the Portland Trail Blazers last night, but the search for a permanent coach has begun.

There is no shortage of big-name candidates that the Knicks are rumored to be interested in and it promises to be a very interesting process. It remains to be seen whether they will be able to reel in one of the legendary coaches they are being linked to, but it is quite clear that the Knicks are looking to make a splashy hire.

Here is the latest on the potential head coaching candidates that New York has been linked to since yesterday.

Phil Jackson

As a former New York Knick as a player and the highest-profile head coach available, it is no surprise that Phil Jackson's name has come up in discussions. According to Marc Stein and Ramona Shelburne of ESPN, the Knicks have not yet contacted Jackson, but that doesn't mean that there isn't some mutual interest. Jackson has maintained that he is happy in retirement, but the chance to coach in New York could prove to be too good to pass up.

Jackson is an 11-time NBA Champion with the Chicago Bulls and Los Angeles Lakers, and he is precisely the type of big fish that owner James Dolan would like to reel in. Knicks star Carmelo Anthony reportedly wasn't seeing eye to eye with D'Antoni this season, but Jackson is a player's coach who has always gotten the best out of his stars, so if the coaching bug bites him, it isn't out of the question to think he could join the Knicks.

Jerry Sloan

After 24 fruitful years as the head coach of the Utah Jazz, Jerry Sloan abruptly retired last season. While he decided to remain retired rather than signing with a team heading into this season, there are indications that he would be interested in the Knicks job. According to Sam Amick of SI.com, sources close to Sloan believe he would return to coach in New York.

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"I think if the right situation came along, whatever that is, Sloan said. I don't know what the right situation is. We'll have to wait and see, I guess."

"[Returning to coaching] is a decision where, if somebody talked to me, I'd review the situation like anybody else and take it from there."

 

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John Calipari

As perhaps the hottest coach in college basketball, it's easy to see why the Knicks might be intrigued by Kentucky bench boss John Calipari. Although Calipari hasn't been an NBA head coach since his tenure with the New Jersey Nets ended in 1999, he is the type of big name that would create a buzz. According to Ric Bucher of ESPN, the Knicks plan to contact Calipari, even though there hasn't been indication that Coach Cal will leave Kentucky.

Calipari went just 72-112 as the Nets head coach with one playoff appearance. Despite his struggles in the NBA, Calipari has led Massachusetts, Memphis and Kentucky deep into the NCAA Tournament on multiple occasions. Calipari has flirted with rejoining the NBA on multiple occasions since returning to the college ranks, and New York may be an attractive destination, but it remains to be seen if he intends to leave a great situation at Kentucky.

Scott Skiles

One interesting option who is currently employed is Milwaukee Bucks head coach Scott Skiles. According to Alan Hahn of MSG, Skiles may look to explore other options following the season, and the Knicks would be the ideal destination. Hahn also says that Skiles is a highly underrated coach who has gotten the most out of his Bucks teams.

Skiles may not be the big name like Jackson, Sloan or Calipari, but in terms of x's and o's he could very well be the best of the bunch. Skiles is also a more realistic option than the others since both Jackson and Sloan seem happy in retirement and Calipari has a great gig at Kentucky. It wouldn't be surprising to see Skiles attempt to move onto bigger and better things, and he seems to be a coach that can figure out a way to utilize the Knicks' array of talent.