Image Credit: Joe Rondone-USA TODAY Sports

New York Knicks Likely to Interview Taylor Jenkins and Mike Brown for Head Coach Job

New York Knicks' head coach hunt continues!

Image Credit: Joe Rondone-USA TODAY Sports

The New York Knicks will reportedly interview former Memphis Grizzlies coach Taylor Jenkins and former Sacramento Kings coach Mike Brown for their head coach job. The Knicks were rejected by five NBA teams after asking if they could speak with the current coaches. Hence, they moved to former NBA coaches, and will speak to Jenkins and Brown next week, as per ESPN’s Shams Charania.

The New York Knicks are planning to meet with ex-Memphis Grizzlies coach Taylor Jenkins and former Sacramento Kings coach Mike Brown next week for their head coaching job, sources tell ESPN. First formal interviews for the Knicks vacancy, and more could come.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) June 14, 2025

Notably, both Brown and Jenkins were fired by their respective franchises earlier this season. The Kings let go of Brown after they got off to a 13-18 start in the 2024-25 season. The 55-year-old led the team to its first playoff berth in 16 years after taking over in 2022. He was also named the NBA Coach of the Year for the 2022-23 season receiving 100 votes. With this, Brown became the first coach in history to win the award with unanimous vote.

On the other hand, Jenkins was fired by the Grizzlies with only nine games remaining in the 2024-25 regular season. He had coached the Grizzlies for six seasons. Whoever joins the Knicks at the helm of their coaching staff would be expected to one-up the accomplishments by Thibodeau and lead them to their first NBA Championship since 1973.

According to Charania, the Knicks sought permission to talk to Dallas Mavericks head coach Jason Kidd, Minnesota Timberwolves head coach Chris Finch, Houston Rockets head coach Ime Udoka and the Atlanta Hawks’ Quin Snyder. However, they were denied by the respective franchises. Later, they pursued the Chicago Bulls’ Billy Donovan, but were denied the bid to interview him.

Charles Barkley Mocks New York For Its Head Coach Search Strategy

Former NBA star Charles Barkley mocked the New York Knicks for their strategy to fill the head coach’s vacancy. He made a remark on the Knicks which involved the Indiana Pacers’ head coach Rick Carlisle, and said that if the franchise attempted to request an interview with Carlisle. Chuck said, “I know we got a long way to go, but if Rick [Carlisle] were to win, the only bad thing about it is the Knicks asked for permission to talk to him. Just being serious. I’m not laughing New York.”

Notably, Carlisle’s Pacers are currently clashing against the Oklahoma City Thunder in their first NBA Finals appearance in 25 years. The series is tied 2-2, which means that Indiana is just two victories away from lifting their first-ever NBA Championship.

Talking about the Knicks, the front office fired Tom Thibodeau after they were knocked out by the Pacers 4-2 in the Eastern Conference Finals. Thibodeau joined the Knicks in 2020, and guided the side to their first Conference Finals in 25 years. Moreover, under him, they made it to the playoffs four times in the last five seasons.

Mike Brown

New York Knicks

Taylor Jenkins

Garima Ranawat

Garima is a sports writer with around two years of experience in Indian sports and a newfound interest in the NBA. Inspired by the leadership of cricketing legend MS Dhoni, she wishes to bring in newer perspectives to the NBA fanatics with her writing.