Jalen Brunson's Father Rick Reportedly Expected to Remain on Knicks Staff for Next HC

Jalen Brunson’s father, Rick Brunson, is expected to remain on the New York Knicks’ coaching staff once a successor to former head coach Tom Thibodeau is named, according to The Stein Line's Marc Stein.

Several key assistant coaches from Thibodeau’s staff are also expected to be retained, The Stein Line notes.

As of now, former Sacramento Kings head coach Mike Brown is considered the frontrunner for the Knicks’ head coaching job, with New Orleans assistant James Borrego reportedly being eyed as his top assistant, per The Stein Line.

Before transitioning to coaching, Rick Brunson played nine seasons in the NBA, where he played with the Knicks for nearly three seasons.

Brunson began his professional coaching career in 2006 as an assistant and player development coach with the Denver Nuggets. He later joined the Chicago Bulls as an assistant for two seasons, followed by stints with the Charlotte Bobcats, a return to Chicago and a stop in Minnesota. In 2022, he joined his son, Jalen Brunson in New York where he has remained for three seasons.

The father-son duo has openly discussed the unique dynamic of working together in the NBA, acknowledging the challenges and importance of finding the right balance between family and professionalism.

"I don't even think it's an issue anymore," Rick Brunson said on the Roommates Show podcast when asked how he finds a balance between being a father and coach. "I think if I had coached him in college, I don't think it would've worked out for either of us. But I think this was a perfect timing." 

"When we're on the court, it's strictly coach and player," Jalen added. "But as soon as practice is over, as soon as the game's over it's like father, son. But even after a game, if I played great or terrible, he doesn't call me about like what I should've did in a game that night. We'll talk about it the next day."

The Knicks wrapped up last season with a 51-31 record, securing the No. 3 seed in the Eastern Conference before falling to the Indiana Pacers in the Eastern Conference Finals.