As the Orlando Magic continue their search for a new head coach, two names deeply tied to the New York Knicks — Tom Thibodeau and Jeff Van Gundy — have re-emerged in league conversations, a reminder of the franchise’s lasting coaching imprint across the NBA.
One is not currently in the mix. The other could be.
According to NBA insider Jake Fischer, reporting for The Stein Line, Thibodeau is not involved in Orlando’s interview process at this stage. But the Magic’s focus on experience has brought renewed attention to Van Gundy, the former Knicks coach now serving as a lead assistant with the Los Angeles Clippers.
Tom Thibodeau’s Knicks Legacy Still Resonates
GettyThe New York Knicks fired Tom Thibodeau with a hefty price tag.
Even without direct ties to Orlando’s search, Thibodeau’s recent tenure in New York continues to shape how teams evaluate coaching candidates.
The 68-year-old left the Knicks as the fourth-winningest coach in franchise history with 226 victories, trailing only Jeff Van Gundy, Joe Lapchick and Red Holzman. More significantly, he helped restore relevance to a franchise that had drifted for nearly a decade.
Thibodeau ended an eight-year playoff drought in his first season and led the Knicks to four postseason appearances in five years. His teams also delivered consecutive 50-win seasons for the first time since Pat Riley’s mid-1990s run, a benchmark long considered out of reach in New York.
His dismissal came despite that success, with the organization still owing him $30 million on his contract. Around the league, however, Thibodeau remains viewed as a stabilizing presence capable of quickly reshaping a team’s identity.
Jeff Van Gundy Returns to Coaching Spotlight
GettyJeff Van Gundy and Mark Jackson during their New York Knicks stints in the 1990s.
If Thibodeau represents the Knicks’ recent past, Van Gundy remains one of the most defining figures in the franchise’s modern history.
Now, he could be part of the NBA’s next coaching cycle.
Fischer reported that Van Gundy is on Orlando’s radar as the Magic prioritize experience. The longtime defensive specialist has quietly rebuilt his coaching résumé after more than a decade away from the bench.
Following his departure from ESPN in 2023, Van Gundy joined the Boston Celtics as a consultant and earned a championship ring. He then moved to the Clippers’ staff under Tyronn Lue, taking on a prominent role as a defensive voice.
Van Gundy’s Knicks Roots Still Define His Resume
For Knicks fans, Van Gundy’s candidacy carries a deeper connection.
He began as an assistant in New York before taking over as head coach in 1996, guiding the franchise to one of its most memorable postseason runs. In 1999, his Knicks became the first No. 8 seed to reach the NBA Finals, a defensive-minded group that embodied his approach.
Though they fell to the San Antonio Spurs, that run remains the franchise’s last trip to the Finals — a benchmark the current Knicks are now chasing once again.
Knicks Back in Spotlight as Coaching Influence Endures
As Orlando weighs its options, the Knicks are simultaneously back on the league’s biggest stage.
Under head coach Mike Brown, New York has returned to the Eastern Conference Finals and is seeking its first Finals appearance since the Van Gundy era. The team entered Game 1 against the Cleveland Cavaliers riding a franchise playoff-record seven-game winning streak, underscoring the continuity between past and present.
Whether through Thibodeau’s culture reset or Van Gundy’s enduring reputation, the Knicks’ coaching lineage continues to ripple across the league.
And as the Magic search for answers, they are once again looking — directly or indirectly — toward New York.
2 Former Knicks Coaches Tied to Magic Coaching Search — And One Stands Out