Tom Thibodeau Thanks Knicks Fans, Players, Coaches in Newspaper Ad After Firing as HC
Tom Thibodeau took out an ad in the New York Times on Wednesday to thank New York Knicks fans for supporting him during his tenure as the team's head coach.
In the ad, Thibodeau called coaching the Knicks his "dream job," and he thanked the players and coaches he worked alongside:
Thibodeau closed his message by thanking the fans for "believing in me and embracing me from day one."
Thibodeau, 67, served as the Knicks' head coach for the past five seasons, but they fired him last week on the heels of New York falling to the Indiana Pacers in the Eastern Conference Finals.
During his time with the Knicks, Thibodeau posted a 226-174 record and led them to the playoffs on four occasions. This season marked their first trip to the ECF since 2000.
Prior to his arrival in New York, Thibodeau spent five seasons as head coach of the Chicago Bulls and three seasons as head coach of the Minnesota Timberwolves. In all, he has a career record of 578-420 with 10 playoff berths and two Eastern Conference Finals appearances.
While it can be argued that season was largely a successful one for the Knicks, reaching the NBA Finals and winning their first championship since 1973 was the ultimate goal.
The front office made some bold moves last offseason, sending Julius Randle and Donte DiVincenzo to the Timberwolves as part of a package for Karl-Anthony Towns, and acquiring Mikal Bridges from the Brooklyn Nets for five first-round picks.
New York didn't quite reach the finish line, and the firing of Thibodeau suggests there is some thought within the organization that a new voice on the sidelines can be what puts the Knicks over the top.
As for Thibodeau, it is unclear what his future plans are, but with every team besides the Knicks having a head coach, there doesn't figure to be an NBA head coaching opportunity available to him next season.
However, given Thibodeau's history of leading teams to the playoffs consistently, it is easy to envision another organization giving him a chance in 2026-27 if he opts to continue coaching.
