Knicks talked to Hall of Famer Dawn Staley about coaching job

The Knicks did indeed reach out to South Carolina women’s basketball coach Dawn Staley to speak with her about their current vacant head coaching job, The Post’s Stefan Bondy confirmed. 

The Knicks have been looking for a new coach since they fired Tom Thibodeau following their ousting from the playoffs in the Eastern Conference Finals, and the search has taken several turns. 

It’s unclear whether the conversation between the organization and Staley was a formal interview, but it wouldn’t be the first time Staley has interviewed for an NBA head coaching job. 

Dawn Staley Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

Staley met with the Trail Blazers in 2021 regarding their open head coaching job at the time, which later went to Chauncey Billups. 

South Carolina athletic director Jeremiah Donati also confirmed the Knicks did reach out in a comment to On3. 

“If I were them, I would have called her, too,” he told the outlet. 

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Staley, who is in the Hall of Fame player, has shown a passion for what she’s built at the University of South Carolina with the women’s program and has led the Gamecocks to three national titles since taking over for the 2008-09 season

“I appreciate every person who has been part of our journey – player, staff member, University President and leadership, Board of Trustee member, athletics director, athletics department employee and fan. I look forward to continuing to be an example of how an investment in women’s basketball is one that will pay off for everyone,” she said earlier this year after re-signing to remain as head coach through the 2029-30 season. 

The Knicks have formally interviewed four candidates for their head coaching job, which included Mike Brown, Taylor Jenkins, Micah Nori and James Borrego.

Knicks president Leon Rose. Charles Wenzelberg / New York Post

The Knicks are bringing back Brown for a second interview, Bondy reported earlier on Monday. 

All of this comes after Knicks team president Leon Rose had been turned down to speak with several people under contract with other teams, including Mavericks head coach Jason Kidd and Bulls head coach Billy Donovan.