Knicks Announce Hiring Of Jeff Hornacek As Head Coach
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- It's official: Jeff Hornacek is the Knicks' new head coach.
The team announced the hiring Thursday on Twitter.
"I am extremely excited and honored to be the next coach of such an historic franchise," Hornacek said in a news release issued by the team. "I look forward to working with (team president) Phil (Jackson) -- a coach and teacher of the game I have admired for many years -- and collaborating with him and our staff to take this team to the level that Knicks fans expect."
The Knicks will formally introduce Hornacek at a news conference at noon Friday. The former Phoenix Suns coach has agreed to a three-year, $15 million contract, according to multiple reports.
"Jeff has a tremendous basketball acumen and possesses strong leadership skills," Jackson said in the release. "During his career as both a player and coach, he has demonstrated the ability to elevate the game."
A former All-Star guard with the Suns, Hornacek, 53, returned to his old team in 2013 as coach and went 101-112 in 2½ seasons there. He, however, never reached the playoffs, and his won-loss percentage declined each season. The Suns fired Hornacek in February. Before becoming Phoenix's head coach, Hornacek was an assistant coach for the Utah Jazz.
The Houston Rockets also interviewed Hornacek, and the Orlando Magic and Memphis Grizzlies were interested in him, according to various reports.
MORE: 5 Facts About Jeff Hornacek
The Knicks also reportedly interviewed former Cavaliers coach David Blatt and ex-Pacers coach Frank Vogel and were considering promoting Kurt Rambis, who served as interim coach after Derek Fisher was fired in February.
New York fired Derek Fisher in February after he went 23-31 this past season.
