Rick Pitino Dismisses Knicks Coaching Speculation
In a clear dismissal of speculation surrounding the vacant head coach position at the New York Knicks, Rick Pitino announced that he is not interested in taking over the role. The veteran coach made his feelings known while attending a New York Yankees game on Wednesday evening, where he had the honor of throwing the first pitch. When asked about the Knicks, Pitino firmly stated,
“Absolutely not.”
Thibodeau’s Departure and Pitino’s Sympathy
This comes on the heels of the Knicks parting ways with Tom Thibodeau, who was let go after a five-year tenure, during which he notably guided the team to the Eastern Conference finals—something the franchise had not achieved since 2000. Despite this successful run, Thibodeau ultimately fell short of leading the team to the Finals, leading to his dismissal. Pitino expressed his sympathy for Thibodeau, highlighting that he made a significant impact on the team:
“I feel bad for Thibs because I think he captured all of New York and built something very, very special.”
The Knicks’ Continued Search for a Head Coach
With the coaching vacancy now confirmed, the Knicks are left as the only NBA team without a head coach following the Phoenix Suns’ recent appointment of Jordan Ott, a former assistant with the Cleveland Cavaliers. Many names are being floated as potential candidates to fill the role, ranging from established coaches like Michael Malone to Mike Brown, but Pitino—who previously held assistant and head coaching positions with the Knicks—seemed to be a valid option in the minds of some fans.
Pitino’s Current Role and Future Aspirations
Pitino, who has rejuvenated his career at St. John’s, has successfully led the team to the NCAA tournament after overcoming difficulties from his previous stint at Louisville. While his success as a coach is undoubted, he acknowledged that his age and current position at St. John’s align more closely with where he believes he should be at this stage of his career, saying,
“As long as you’re mentally and physically sharp, you do it as long as you can, because coaching is a blessing. It’s the second best thing to playing. I’ve been blessed with over 50 years of coaching, and I hope it continues as long as I can do it.”
With Pitino currently content in his role and rejecting interest from the Knicks, the franchise now must turn its gaze to other potential candidates as they seek to start anew after Thibodeau’s exit.
