Knicks to Hire Mike Brown as New Head Coach

The New York Knicks are expected to appoint Mike Brown as their new head coach, according to reports. This decision comes shortly after the team dismissed former coach Tom Thibodeau, following a season that marked their most successful in 25 years.

Brown, who recently coached the Sacramento Kings for over two seasons, had agreed to a three-year contract extension in June 2024. However, after a disappointing start of 13-18 last season, he was fired in December. Throughout his career, Brown has accumulated a record of 454 wins and 304 losses, earning two NBA Coach of the Year awards and four NBA championships as an assistant coach. He notably led the Cleveland Cavaliers to the NBA Finals in 2007.

This will be Brown’s fifth stint as an NBA head coach, with previous teams including the Kings, Los Angeles Lakers, and two separate tenures with the Cleveland Cavaliers. He has also served as an assistant coach for several teams, including the Washington Wizards, Golden State Warriors, Indiana Pacers, and San Antonio Spurs. Brown was also considered for the Knicks’ head coaching position in 2020 but was ultimately not chosen at that time.

The hiring process involved multiple attempts to secure a new coach. The Knicks reached out to notable candidates such as Jason Kidd, Quin Snyder, Billy Donovan, Ime Udoka, and Chris Finch, but all declined or were unavailable. After interviews with assistant Micah Nori and Memphis Grizzlies head coach Taylor Jenkins, the team decided on Brown.

Under Thibodeau’s leadership, the Knicks finished the 2024 season with a 51-31 record, their highest win total in over a decade, and advanced to the Eastern Conference Finals. The addition of Brown is seen as a move to build on that success and aim for deeper playoff runs in the coming seasons.