The New York Knicks stunned the basketball world when they decided to fire head coach Tom Thibodeau.
The Knicks are officially in the market for a new head coach. In the meantime, Thibodeau has broken his silence following his departure — by joining social media. In his first post, Thibodeau thanked both the fans and the organization, expressing his gratitude in a brief but telling message.
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“To the best city in the world with the best fans in the world: Thank you,” Thibodeau wrote.
“When I was hired in 2020, I said this was my dream job. I am grateful that dreams became a reality. Thank you to our players and coaching staff who gave everything they had, and to everyone who makes this franchise special. I am proud of everything we accomplished together, including four playoff appearances and this year’s run to the Eastern Conference finals — our first in 25 years.
“And to the fans, thank you for believing in me and embracing me from day one. Watching you support our team, and seeing the Garden ignite with that incomparable Knicks energy, is something I will never forget.”
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Thibodeau’s dismissal came on the heels of the Knicks’ loss to the Indiana Pacers in the Eastern Conference Finals, which was decided in six games. Despite guiding New York past the reigning champion Celtics in the second round and steering the franchise to its first conference finals berth in 25 years, it ultimately wasn’t enough to secure his job.
During his five-year run, Thibodeau led the Knicks to the playoffs in four seasons and delivered back-to-back 50-win campaigns—something the franchise hadn’t done since the 1990s. He wrapped up his tenure with a 250-197 overall record.
What’s Next for the Knicks After Tom Thibodeau’s Exit?
As Thibodeau’s coaching future remains uncertain, the Knicks are now locked in on finding the right voice to lead them forward. However, it hasn’t been easy for the team thus far.
The Knicks requested permission to speak to Rockets head coach Ime Udoka and Timberwolves head coach Chris Finch. Both teams denied the Knicks’ request.
Additionally, UConn head coach Dan Hurley publicly declined the opportunity to become the next head coach of the Knicks.
It hasn’t been the prettiest of starts for the Knicks thus far in the coaching search, but they still have plenty of time to find their guy.
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