New York Knicks: Head Coaches Before Jeff Hornacek

As we wait for training camp to officially begin, here are a few recent head coaches who led the New York Knicks before Jeff Hornacek.

Oct 9, 2015; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Phoenix Suns head coach Jeff Hornacek applauds from the sidelines during the game against the Utah Jazz at Talking Stick Resort Arena. The Suns defeat the Jazz 101-85. Mandatory Credit: Jennifer Stewart-USA TODAY Sports

With the New York Knicks’ 2016-17 season opener less that a month away, newly hired head coach Jeff Hornacek is looking to help turn the franchise around.

In order to appreciate the task ahead of him, it’s important to evaluate the recent coaches who spent time coaching the Knicks before Hornacek.

After having a total of five different head coaches within the last five years, Hornacek was hired during the 2016 offseason. He was brought in to revitalize the Knicks.

The team has failed to reach the postseason in three consecutive seasons.

Hornacek looks to be the long-term option for the Knicks. Within the last decade, no Knick scoach has lasted more than two full seasons with the team.

As we wait for the 2016-17 NBA regular season to officially begin, here’s a look back at how the recent coaches before Hornacek fared.

Mar 6, 2016; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Southern Methodist Mustangs head coach Larry Brown reacts from the bench against the Cincinnati Bearcats in the second half at Fifth Third Arena. The Bearcats won 61-54. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports

Larry Brown (2005-2006)

Larry Brown was hired by James Dolan to coach the New York Knicks in 2005. Brown had just led the Detroit Pistons to a championship in 2004 and a second NBA Finals appearance in 2005.

Brown was approached by other teams that were interested in hiring him as their next head coach. The Pistons didn’t reconstruct their contract after he was in the last season of his contract.

Being able to coach the Knicks was considered a dream for Brown.

During his first and only season in New York, the only thing that was clear was how poor the Knicks were. One cannot blame Brown for having a team that owned the highest payroll in the NBA and having minimal talent on the roster.

Many conflicts arose both on and off the court. Brown clashed with then Knicks guard Stephon Marbury on many occasions throughout the season. The only bright spot during the season was the flashes of potential with young players such as Channing Frye, Nate Robinson, and David Lee.

After one season, Dolan relieved Brown of his duties and reassigned Isiah Thomas to take over the team. Brown led the Knicks to an abysmal 23-59 record in his lone season at the helm.

Following his stint in New York, Brown became the head coach for the Charlotte Bobcats. He led the team to their first ever playoff appearance in 2009-10.

Oct 5, 2014; Vancouver, British Columbia, CAN; Isiah Thomas a NBA Hall of Famer watches as the Toronto Raptors host the Sacramento Kings during the first half at Rogers Arena. The Toronto Raptors won 99-94. Mandatory Credit: Anne-Marie Sorvin-USA TODAY Sports

Isiah Thomas (2006-2008)

Isiah Thomas will always be known for his fantastic NBA playing career with the Detroit Pistons. However, he will not be known for his time as the general manager and head coach of the New York Knicks.

He was forced to coach the team that he assembled through questionable trades and signings. For instance, he traded two first-round draft picks, which turned out to be LaMarcus Aldridge and Joakim Noah, for Eddy Curry.

Following the firing of Larry Brown, the then Knicks president became the head coach of the team. The team did have a few bright moments in his first season coaching the team. At one point, the Knicks held the eighth seed.

Unfortunately, the team was unable to hold on to the final playoff spot and was no longer in the playoff picture after that. New York finished with 33 wins. Knicks fans were, however, able to see the continuation in the development of players such as Nate Robinson and David Lee.

The following season was a disaster as the Knicks were second to last in the Eastern Conference. The team was a train-wreck and Thomas was at fault for these issues.

Thomas’ record as head coach of the Knicks was 56-108. When James Dolan hired Donnie Walsh to be the president of basketball operations, Thomas was eventually replaced by former Suns coach Mike D’Antoni.

Apr 16, 2014; San Antonio, TX, USA; Los Angeles Lakers head coach Mike D’Antoni gives direction to his team during the first half against the San Antonio Spurs at AT&T Center. Mandatory Credit: Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports

Mike D’Antoni (2008-2012)

In 2008, Mike D’Antoni was brought in by James Dolan to end the New York Knicks’ losing ways. Prior to his stint in New York, D’Antoni coached the Phoenix Suns to four consecutive 50-win seasons.

His system helped Steve Nash thrive and win two NBA MVP trophies: 2004-05 and 2005-06, respectively). Additionally, D’Antoni won the Coach of the Year award in 2004.

When D’Antoni arrived, the Knicks had a lackluster point guard in Chris Duhon and an absence of star-caliber players. While the team faced losing seasons in his first two seasons as head coach, he played a major role in the development of young players like Wilson Chandler and Danilo Gallinari.

Once the Knicks were able to land Amare Stoudemire in free agency, D’Antoni was able to start the revitalization of the team. It was D’Antoni’s offense that made Raymond Felton a borderline All-Star in 2011.

The core of Gallinari, Chandler, Felton, and Stoudemire held so much potential and promise. Following the Carmelo Anthony trade, D’Antoni led the Knicks to their first playoff birth in almost a decade.

A slow start to the 2011-2012 season resulted in the Knicks accumulating a 16-24 record. Mike D’Antoni decided to resign as head coach of the Knicks.

His record as coach of the Knicks is 121-167 with an 0-4 record in the playoffs. Many speculated that Anthony played a role in D’Antoni leaving the team.

After his resignation, D’Antoni went on to coach the Los Angeles Lakers. He’s currently the head coach of the Houston Rockets.

October 21, 2014; Oakland, CA, USA; Los Angeles Clippers assistant coach Mike Woodson during the second quarter against the Golden State Warriors at Oracle Arena. The Warriors defeated the Clippers 125-107. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

Mike Woodson (2012-2014)

Mike Woodson was brought to the New York Knicks as an assistant coach to provide defense to an offensive-minded team. After Mike D’Antoni resigned from the position, Woodson became the interim head coach for the rest of the 2011-12 season.

He took a team with a 16-24 record and transformed them into a 36-30 team that held the 7th seed in the Eastern Conference. Woodson was able to end the 11-year franchise drought without a playoff win in the same season.

Building off of the 2012 success, Woodson was able to guide the 2012-13 Knicks to their first division title since 1994 and their first playoff series victory since 2000. Many players earned accolades during that same season.

J.R Smith won Sixth Man of the Year and Carmelo Anthony won the scoring title.

Unfortunately, the next season didn’t go the way the Knicks wanted it to. The team opened the 2013-14 season with a record of 4-13. At the end of the season, Phil Jackson relieved Woodson of his duties.

His record being the head coach of the Knicks is 109-79 while owning a 7-10 record in the playoffs. He owns the second-highest coaching win percentage within the last 20 years.

Woodson didn’t have to wait a long time to find another job as he became an assistant coach on the Los Angeles Clippers for Doc Rivers that summer.

Nov 4, 2015; Cleveland, OH, USA; New York Knicks head coach Derek Fisher reacts in the third quarter against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Quicken Loans Arena. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports

Derek Fisher (2014-2016)

Jason Kidd is the most recent individual who successfully transitioned from NBA player to NBA head coach. Kidd became head coach of the Brooklyn Nets and was able to lead the Nets to the fifth seed in the 2014 NBA Playoffs.

The Nets clinched a series victory over the Toronto Raptors during the 2014 NBA Playoffs. Phil Jackson attempted to do the same thing after missing out on Steve Kerr by bringing in a player he coached: Derek Fisher.

Fisher didn’t have a very talented team in 2014-15. Carmelo Anthony’s season was cut short after the All-Star break and Phil Jackson began to overhaul the roster.

The following season, New York had high expectations after it acquired Aaron Afflalo, Robin Lopez, and Kristaps Porzingis. After the midway point of the season, Fisher was able to lead the team to a .500 record while competing for a potential playoff spot.

However, the team lost 9 out of the next 10 games and fell out of the playoff picture due to the Eastern Conference becoming competitive. The team was one of the worst 3 point shooting teams in the NBA and was ranked near the bottom in terms of pace.

Those are two essential components for any successful team.

Phil Jackson ultimately fired Fisher midway through the season. Another element to keep in mind was the off-court issue between Fisher and Matt Barnes. The incident was a major distraction for the team in the locker room and may have also played a role in Fisher being fired.

Fisher had a record of 40-96 with the Knicks.

Kurt Rambis followed as interim head coach, but Jeff Hornacek was hired for the full-time gig for a reason.