For the first time since 2000, the New York Knicks reached the Eastern Conference Finals.
However, their playoff run stopped there, as the Indiana Pacers eliminated them in six games, leaving them just short of an NBA Finals appearance.
In a surprising decision, New York has parted ways with head coach Tom Thibodeau after five seasons with the franchise. Reports indicate the organization seeks a championship-caliber head coach to take the team further. With that in mind, let’s look at every active NBA head coach who has won a championship—and who might be available for the Knicks to consider.
List of NBA Coaches To Win a Title
Phil Jackson – 11x Champion
Red Auerbach – 9x Champion
John Kundla – 5x Champion
Pat Riley – 5x Champion
Gregg Popovich – 5x Champion
Steve Kerr – 4x Champion
Chuck Daly – 2x Champion
Alex Hannum – 2x Champion
Tom Heinsohn – 2x Champion
Red Holzman – 2x Champion
K.C. Jones – 2x Champion
Bill Russell – 2x Champion
Rudy Tomjanovich – 2x Champion
Erik Spoelstra – 2x Champion
Al Attles – 1x Champion
Larry Brown – 1x Champion
Mike Budenholzer – 1x Champion
Rick Carlisle – 1x Champion
Al Cervi – 1x Champion
Larry Costelo – 1x Champion
Billy Cunningham – 1x Champion
Bill Fitch – 1x Champion
Edward Gotlieb – 1x Champion
Les Harrison – 1x Champion
Harry ‘Buddy’ Jeannette – 1x Champion
Tyronne Lue – – 1x Champion
Michael Malone – 1x Champion
Joe Mazzulla – 1x Champion
Dick Moita – 1x Champion
Nick Nurse – 1x Champion
Jack Ramsay – 1x Champion
Doc Rivers – 1x Champion
George Senesky – 1x Champion
Bill Sharman – 1x Champion
Frank Vogel – 1x Champion
Paul Westhead – 1x Champion
Lenny Wilkens – 1x Champion
Coaches That are Available With a Championship
Mike Malone
Malone led the Denver Nuggets to their first NBA championship in 2023, defeating the Miami Heat in five games. A Queens native and former Knicks assistant coach, Malone has deep ties to New York and a clear understanding of the city’s basketball culture. His disciplined approach and recent championship pedigree make him a compelling candidate.
BREAKING: The New York Knicks are relieving Tom Thibodeau of his duties as head coach, sources tell ESPN. Thibodeau led the Knicks to their first East Finals in 25 years, made playoffs in 4 of 5 years and led Knicks to consecutive 50+ win seasons for first time since the 1990s. pic.twitter.com/B7w8KhoEcF
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) June 3, 2025
Mike Budenholzer
Budenholzer served as head coach of the Milwaukee Bucks from 2018 to 2023, guiding them to an NBA title in the 2020–21 season. A two-time NBA Coach of the Year, Bud is known for his intricate schemes and ability to develop stars within a team-oriented system, which may be a perfect fit for Jalen Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns in New York.
Frank Vogel
Vogel has coached several NBA franchises, including the Indiana Pacers, Orlando Magic, Los Angeles Lakers, and, most recently, the Phoenix Suns. He won an NBA title with the Lakers in 2020 during the league’s Orlando bubble season. Known for his defensive-minded coaching style, Vogel brings playoff experience and a proven track record of managing star players.
Whoever the Knicks hire will inherit a championship-caliber roster that came just two wins shy of an NBA Finals appearance this season. With expectations rising and fan patience wearing thin, the next head coach must be capable of delivering the Knicks to the promised land—and finally ending New York’s decades-long title drought.
