New York Knicks head coach Isiah Thomas was fired by team president Donnie Walsh on April 18, 2008. After taking over for Larry Brown in 2006, Thomas amassed a dismal record of 56-198 in two seasons as head coach of the Knicks. Walsh stated that Thomas would remain with the organization without any official title.
Thomas still has $18 million owed to him after receiving a long-term contract extension in 2007. The Knicks finished the 2007-2008 season with a record of 23-59, tying the franchise record for most losses in a season. Thomas' record after the 2006-2007 season was 33-49.
Coaching Record
- Indiana Pacers 2000-01: 41-41
- Indiana Pacers 2001-02: 42-40
- Indiana Pacers 2002-03: 48-34
- New York Knicks 2006-07: 33-49
- New York Knicks 2007-08: 23-59
- Overall: 187-223
Isiah Thomas Firing News
- ESPN.com: Report: Ex-Knicks coach Thomas banned from contacting players (April 22, 2008)
- ESPN.com: Walsh fires Thomas, keeps him with the franchise for 'input' (April 18, 2008)
- "In one of the most anticlimactic firings in NBA history, incoming Knicks president Donnie Walsh announced late Friday afternoon he was relieving Thomas of his coaching duties. But Thomas, still owed $18 million after receiving a long-term contract extension 13 months ago, will remain in the organization with no official title."
- New York Times: Thomas Removed as Knicks' Coach (April 18, 2008)
- "Since being hired, Walsh, the Pacers president who hired Thomas to coach Indiana in 2000, had promised not to make a hasty decision on Thomas, but the outcome seemed inevitable in light of Thomas's poor record."
- Bloomberg: Thomas Fired as Knicks' Coach After Loses, Turmoil (April 18, 2008)
- The Sports Network: Thomas out as Knicks coach (April 18, 2008)
- Topix.net: Isiah Thomas Fired
- Google News: Isiah Thomas Fired
