Knicks coach Mike Woodson knows what it feels like to have a job and hear about all the candidates being lined up for that position.
So Woodson on Friday attacked a report saying he could be a candidate at the University of Indiana if coach Tom Crean were not retained. Woodson said he received a call about the published report.
“First and foremost, that’s not me. I have a great deal of respect for Tom Crean and what he’s done at Indiana University, and I’m going to leave it at that,” Woodson said. “Because I don’t like being affiliated with no one’s job that a coach is already in position as coach. It’s tough enough on all of us as coaches. I don’t care what level it is. I’ve said that ever since I’ve been here.”
And this season, with the Knicks currently at 26-40 and out of playoff position, Woodson has heard one name after another as his replacement.
“I can’t control none of that, that’s for sure. But I just think it’s ugly in our business when things like that happen because, again, it’s not easy being a coach,” Woodson said. “And I don’t care what level it is or what sport it is. It’s a tough profession, but we enjoy doing what we do, so I mean I’ve got to respect the game and respect the coaching part of it because it is a fragile thing.”