Best Coaching Options for NY Knicks Not Named Mike Woodson

Mike Woodson is the heavy favorite to return as head coach of the New York Knicks, yet, the team must continue to consider other options.

Woodson led the Knicks to an 18-6 finish this season, but despite his impressive performance, there are a number of other names New York can pillage through.

Hiring a head coach is not an issue to be taken lightly, especially after the less-than-adequate track record the Knicks have built over the past decade.

So, while Woodson must still be considered a strong candidate, removing the interim label too early is not an option. 

Exploring the potential surrounding these other coaches, however, is.

Phil Jackson

While I'm not sold on Phil Jackson being the best fit for New York—he's no fan of Carmelo Anthony or Amar'e Stoudemire—his stature alone renders him a sound option to exhaust.

Jackson knows what it takes to win championships—he has won 11 as a coach and two as a player. He's a colorful, yet serene, sideline personality and is never one to allow players at fault to press on unscathed.

Jackson is also known for his triangle offense, a system that is designed for players like Anthony, who the Knicks sorely need to excel.

If the Knicks are willing to chance everything else—his relationship with Anthony and Stoudemire, Lin's development and his health—there's no way they shouldn't be placing a call to Jackson.

Jeff Van Gundy

Jeff Van Gundy knows what it takes to be successful in New York, having coached the team to an improbable NBA Finals run in 1999.

Van Gundy would go to war for his players on a nightly basis if he had to and isn't one to let any athlete skate by. His old-school defensive approach also makes him a fan favorite, as porous sets drive him crazy.

While Van Gundy's outspokenness is liable to put him in James Dolan's doghouse, there's no denying the two-way impact he could have on this Knicks roster. He's familiar with the art of ball movement and would extract every last bit of defensive value out of both Carmelo Anthony and Amar'e Stoudemire.

Simply put, a reunion between Van Gundy and the Knicks would be a step toward prosperity, provided he and management could coexist. 

Mike Budenholzer

You may not recognize the name, but Mike Budenholzer is a star-caliber coach in his own right.

Budenholzer has been alongside Gregg Popovich for nearly two decades, and there's no doubt that he's picked up a trick or two.

Popovich's name has become synonymous with understated success, a reputation that his "understudy" may be prepared to follow after a season like this one. He's knows how to manage veterans and has spent much of his time developing young guns into players who can make an impact now.

Budenholzer is also constantly pouring over footage from past games. He's familiar with league-wide defensive schemes and how to break them down and is an integral cog in San Antonio's efficient offensive machine.

Taking the reins of a New York team in disarray is undoubtedly a tough gig for a first-time head coach, but after an extended stint with the Spurs, there's no reason to believe Budenholzer isn't up for the challenge. 

Stan Van Gundy

Stan Van Gundy is currently tied to the Orlando Magic, yet for how much longer remains to be seen.

Much like his brother Jeff with the Knicks, Stan has never won a championship with the Magic. That said, he's still gained a reputation as one of the top coaches in the league.

Van Gundy is an extremely vibrant personality on the bench and isn't afraid of confrontation. He's an expert at spreading the floor on offense and is no stranger to the tumultuous whirlwind that is sometimes the media.

In a locker room laden with Carmelo Anthony and Amar'e Stoudemire-like egos, Van Gundy would serve as a firm and decisive presence.

So, while Orlando may be prepared to send Van Gundy packing, New York should consider giving him a new home.

Jerry Sloan

Much like Phil Jackson, the Knicks owe it to themselves to call Jerry Sloan.

Back in March, on the heels of a report that had Sloan ready to jump back into the fray, there were rumblings that the widely-respected head coach was interested in a potential New York vacancy.

Sloan presents an interesting opportunity. He's a master at holding players, regardless of their star-status, responsible for both their accolades and deficiencies and is no stranger to the NBA Finals.

Most importantly though, Sloan was the brains behind the John Stockton and Karl Malone pick-and-roll tandem. He knows how to utilize the most underappreciated play-scheme to his advantage, an attribute the Knicks desperately crave and would undeniably welcome.

Sloan is the perfect combination of a disciplinarian and player's coach, rendering him a savvy option New York can ill afford to ignore.

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