Despite Denial, Mike Woodson Again Linked To Contract Extension With Knicks
NEW YORK (WFAN) -- For the second time in as many days, a contract extension has been reported to be practically inevitable for Knicks interim head coach Mike Woodson.
Team owner James Dolan told Woodson "in recent days" that the Knicks plan to bring him back as coach next season, according to the New York Post.
On Tuesday, the New York Daily News reported the sides were engaged in the preliminary stages of contract talks. Woodson later denied that negotiations were underway.
"No, I have not. No, I have not. You guys write the articles," Woodson said. "That's not true, not at all."
Kentucky coach John Calipari and NBA legend Phil Jackson were thought to be on New York's short list after the abrupt resignation of Mike D'Antoni in mid-March. But the Knicks finished out the regular season with an 18-6 record under Woodson, and star forward Carmelo Anthony has called for his temporary coach to get the full-time job.
Jackson was never contacted by the Knicks, the Post reported, adding the legendary NBA coach "wanted Woodson to get the job."
Meanwhile, fresh off his first NCAA championship, Calipari again rejected the idea of resurrecting his NBA career.
"I'm not going to the Knicks," Calipari said Tuesday. "Mike Woodson will be your coach."
New York is down 3-1 to Miami in their best-of-seven series, and may be faced with another first-round ouster -- but at least their NBA-record 13-game playoff losing streak is now a thing of the past. And it seems Woodson is the man of their foreseeable future.
"Absolutely, absolutely. I'd love to see him back," Anthony said while preparing for Wednesday night's Game 5. "I support that. Everybody knows what he's done thus far since he's been here in this short period that he's had the head coaching job. There's no need to cut it off right now. We're kind of just getting started."
Knicks fans, is Woodson your man? Be heard in the comments below...
