Mike Woodson, former Hawks head coach, is expected to be in New York this week interviewing with Knicks head coach Mike D’Antoni to become his defensive assistant coach, according to a person familiar with the situation.
Woodson, who coached the Hawks from 2004 to 2010 with a 206-286 coaching record, also is up for the head job in Minnesota.
“I am not going to comment,” said Woodson’s agent, Joe Glass, who also is the representative for Larry Brown.
Woodson has strong ties with Brown as his longtime assistant coach. Brown and Glass had a contentious relationship with Knicks brass because of Brown’s messy exit that had to be resolved via arbitration by the NBA.
Woodson was Brown’s assistant coach for Brown’s 2003-2004 Pistons NBA championship squad. Woodson was drafted by the Knicks as the 12th overall pick in the 1980 draft and played two seasons at the Garden.
D’Antoni is looking to add a defensive-minded assistant in an attempt to shore up the Knicks’ subpar defense. The Knicks appear at a disadvantage wooing a prominent coach because they may only offer a one-year deal since D’Antoni is in the final year of his contract.
D’Antoni ‘s top choice was former Nets head coach Lawrence Frank but he has been hired as head coach of the Pistons, beating out Woodson.
Woodson’s final two seasons in Atlanta were successful, posting 47-35 and 53-29 records before being let go after the 2009-10 season.