Advertisement

Knicks fire coach Mike Woodson

New York Knicks president Phil Jackson made his first significant move Monday, firing head coach Mike Woodson and his entire staff.

Woodson had a 109-79 record in parts of three seasons for the Knicks, but didn’t make the playoffs in the lackluster Eastern Conference this season. The Knicks also announced they will begin their coaching search immediately. A source had previously told Yahoo Sports that with the exception of Knicks president Steve Mills, everyone in basketball operations and the coaching staff could lose their job with Jackson’s arrival. Jackson, 68, was hired last month in an effort to turn the Knicks' fortunes around.

Turner Sports television analyst Steve Kerr, who played for Jackson with the Chicago Bulls from 1993-98, is expected to be a candidate for the Knicks' head coaching job. Other Jackson disciples coaching in the NBA right now include Denver Nuggets head coach Brian Shaw, Milwaukee Bucks assistant coach and former NBA head coach Jim Cleamons, and Los Angeles Lakers assistant coach and former NBA head coach Kurt Rambis.

Woodson, 56, was the only member of the Knicks' coaching staff who was under contract next season. He first landed the job 24 games into the 2011-12 season when he replaced Mike D’Antoni. Woodson has a career 315-365 record in coaching stints with the Knicks and the Atlanta Hawks.

"I have a tremendous amount of respect for Mike Woodson and his entire staff," Jackson said in a statement. "The coaches and players on this team had an extremely difficult 2013-14 season, and blame should not be put on one individual. But the time has come for change throughout the franchise as we start the journey to assess and build this team for next season and beyond.

"Everyone in this franchise owes a great deal of gratitude to what Mike and his staff have done. We wish him the best."

In other news, the Knicks also added former Bulls scout Clarence Gaines Jr. to their scouting staff.

Check out what's buzzing on the Yahoo Sports Minute: