Knicks HC Rumors: New York Has Reached Out to Mark Jackson, Jeff Van Gundy

The New York Knicks reportedly made contact with representatives for both Mark Jackson and Jeff Van Gundy about their head coaching vacancy.

On Saturday, Frank Isola of the New York Daily News reported Jackson and Van Gundy join David Fizdale and Jerry Stackhouse as official contacts as the Knicks conduct a search to replace Jeff Hornacek.

Jackson is a New York City native who was selected by the Knicks with the 18th overall pick in the 1987 draft. He was named the NBA Rookie of the Year in 1987-88 and earned his only All-Star Game selection a year later.

The 53-year-old St. John's product previously coached the Golden State Warriors from 2011 through 2014. The Dubs compiled a 121-109 regular-season record under his guidance, but went just 9-10 in the playoffs with a single series win.

Van Gundy served as head coach of the Knicks from 1996 until 2001. He guided the team to a 248-172 record and six straight postseason appearances before resigning early in the 2001-02 campaign.

The pinnacle of his tenure was reaching the 1999 NBA Finals, where New York lost to the San Antonio Spurs in five games.

Van Gundy refused to confirm or deny his interest in the job Friday during an appearance on The Michael Kay Show, per Marc Berman of the New York Post.

"For myself, it's so much better not to get drawn in those type of conversations publicly," he said. "You guys know I'm a huge Knicks fan and I want what's best for them. Whatever they decide, I hope it works for them."

Isola noted league sources consider Fizdale, the former Memphis Grizzlies head coach, the "early favorite" since the Knicks reached out to him two weeks ago, before the other candidates.