After losing to the Pacers in the Eastern Conference Finals, the Knicks fired head coach Tom Thibodeau. He helped New York reach its first conference final in the last 25 years.
Since firing Thibodeau, the Knicks have requested interviews with five active head coaches. They were rejected in all five. So the team has shifted their focus to two coaches who were let go from 2024-25. According to Athletic’s Sam Amick. New York is planning to pursue Mike Brown and Taylor Jenkins.
Who will the Knicks hire as their next head coach?
The Knicks are expected to pursue Mike Brown and Taylor Jenkins. @sam_amick
“…league sources say there are more Knicks focusing on two former coaches who don’t need permission to pursue: Mike Brown (Sacramento Kings and last) and Taylor Jenkins (previously… pic.twitter.com/pb4ruqrmpn
– nbacentral (@thedunkcentral) June 12, 2025
Athletic’s Sam Amick reported that the Knicks knew they wanted to fire Tom Thibodeau. The losses in the Eastern Conference Finals were their good reason. New York broke up with Thibodeau, so the team was denied a request to interview five active head coaches. That list includes Jason Kidd, Chris Finch, Ime Udoka, Quinn Snyder and Billy Donovan.
With those coaches not playing, the Knicks are shifting their focus elsewhere. New York is currently targeting two coaches fired by their respective teams in 2024-25. Mike Brown was with the Kings and Taylor Jenkins with the Grizzlies. For three seasons, Mike Brown was Sacramento’s head coach. He had an overall record of 107-88 in the regular season and a 3-4 in the playoffs.
Brown was fired after 31 games. He spent 13 years as an assistant coach in the NBA and 11 years as a head coach. Memphis fired coach Taylor Jenkins, who only nine games before the playoffs began. He was with the Grizzlies in 73 of his 82 games last season. Jenkins was on the team for five seasons, holding a 250-214 overall record in the regular season and 9-14 playoffs. Will Mike Brown or Taylor Jenkins be the Knicks’ next head coach?