New York Knicks hire Mike Brown as new head coach

Mike Brown is the new head coach of the Knicks. Picture: Tim Nwachukwu/Getty

The New York Knicks hired two-time NBA Coach of the Year Mike Brown as their new head coach on Monday.

Brown, 55, was fired by the Sacramento Kings last December after two-plus seasons. He previously coached the Cleveland Cavaliers (2005-10) and Los Angeles Lakers (2011-12) and has a career record of 454-304.

"After a thorough and extensive search process, we are pleased to announce Mike Brown as the head coach of the New York Knicks," Knicks president Leon Rose said in a statement. 

"Mike has coached on the biggest stages in our sport and brings championship pedigree to our organization."

Brown replaces Tom Thibodeau, who was fired a month ago after leading the Knicks to the Eastern Conference finals for the first time in 25 years.

"(Brown's) experience leading the bench during the NBA Finals, winning four titles as an assistant coach, and his ability to grow and develop players will all help us as we aim to bring a championship to New York for our fans," Rose added.

The Knicks reportedly conducted a second interview with Brown last Tuesday and also reportedly interviewed former Charlotte Hornets head coach James Borrego, former Memphis Grizzlies coach Taylor Jenkins and Minnesota Timberwolves assistant coach Micah Nori.

The Knicks cast a wide net to replace Thibodeau. They attempted to interview current head coaches — including Jason Kidd of the Dallas Mavericks, Chris Finch of the Timberwolves and Ime Udoka of the Houston Rockets — but were denied permission by those teams.

They also interviewed South Carolina championship-winning women's basketball coach Dawn Staley for the opening.

Brown has won four NBA championships as an assistant coach with the San Antonio Spurs (2003) and the Golden State Warriors (2017, 2018 and 2022). He led the Cavaliers to the 2006-07 NBA Finals, where they were swept by the Spurs.