Yes, longtime Knicks assistant Herb Williams was technically fired Monday morning along with the rest of Mike Woodson’s coaching staff, but that does not necessarily mean he won’t be with the organization next season.
Williams has been a mainstay in the organization, working as an assistant for six different head coaches in 13 years: Don Chaney, Lenny Wilkens, Larry Brown, Isiah Thomas, Mike D’Antoni and Woodson.
The new Knicks coach will pick his staff of assistants, but will be alerted by brass to Williams’ respect within the organization. Williams served as interim head coach for one game in 2004 after Chaney departed and for 43 games in 2005 after Wilkens was forced to resign. He was days from being named permanent head coach when Brown was forced out of Detroit and decided to accept the Knicks’ offer.
While the rest of the assistants have been let go, the Knicks’ well-stocked training staff was untouched and will continue to give treatment to players in need such as Carmelo Anthony.