New York Knicks close in on hiring Mike Brown as franchise's next head coach

According to ESPN's Shams Charania, the Knicks are set to appoint Mike Brown as their new head coach. The hire, which is reportedly in the final stages of being ironed out, brings a dramatic conclusion to a process that began with the sudden dismissal of Tom Thibodeau on June 3, just days after the Knicks bowed out to the Indiana Pacers in six games in the Eastern Conference Finals.

During their search, New York chased a number of options, even attempting to pry away coaches under contract elsewhere, only to be met with resistance. With doors closing, the Knicks turned to a seasoned and decorated option in Brown, a two-time Coach of the Year who was let go by Sacramento just 31 games into the 2024–25 campaign.

Thibodeau's departure was a surprise given his strong resume with the Knicks: a 226–174 record over five seasons, including a 51–31 finish and the No. 3 seed in the East this past year. But with the front office looking for a new voice to steer the franchise forward, Brown will now be tasked with taking this playoff-caliber squad a step further in 2025–26.

The Knicks explored a wide range of coaching options before zeroing in on their final pick. Reports suggest New York had its eye on several sitting head coaches — including Ime Udoka (Rockets), Jason Kidd (Mavericks), Billy Donovan (Bulls), and Quin Snyder (Hawks) but none of those pursuits gained real traction. Other candidates who interviewed for the job included Taylor Jenkins, James Borrego (Pelicans assistant), Micah Nori (Timberwolves assistant), and eventually Mike Brown. The front office even made contact with South Carolina women’s coach Dawn Staley, though she didn’t make the shortlist.

Ultimately, the Knicks landed on Brown, a seasoned tactician with two Coach of the Year titles to his name, despite being dismissed by Sacramento just 31 games into last season. At 55, Brown brings with him nearly four decades of NBA experience, dating back to his early days as a video coordinator in 1992.

Brown's head coaching journey has been anything but conventional. He was handed the reins in Cleveland just as a young LeBron James was coming into his own, and led the Cavs to the 2007 NBA Finals. But several postseason stumbles led to his departure in 2010, coinciding with LeBron's exit for Miami.

Since then, Brown has remained relevant in top coaching circles. He revitalized the Kings’ high-octane attack from 2022–2024 and played a key role in Golden State’s title defense during the 2021–22 campaign as part of Steve Kerr’s staff.

Reports say Brown left a strong impression throughout New York's multi-round interview process, winning over team president Leon Rose and other decision-makers with his strategic insight and leadership style. His wealth of experience and recent success made him a compelling choice to steer a 51-win Knicks team that believes it’s ready to take the next leap.

Mike Brown may not have a championship ring as a head coach, but his track record speaks volumes. With a career record of 454-304 (.599) and a 50-40 (.556) mark in the playoffs, Brown brings with him a resume that includes one trip to the NBA Finals and two Coach of the Year honors. He's well-acquainted with the pressure cooker that is New York basketball, and he’ll need every ounce of that experience in what promises to be a season of sky-high expectations.

With Boston and Indiana severely weakened by season-ending Achilles injuries to their star players, the Knicks suddenly find themselves staring at a wide-open path in the East. It's the clearest shot at an NBA Finals appearance this franchise has seen in decades.