Sports world reacts to Knicks hiring Tom Thibodeau as franchise's next head coach

The Knicks hired Tom Thibodeau to be their next head coach

The New York Knicks are reportedly finalizing a five-year contract that will make former Tom Thibodeau the NBA franchise’s next head coach.

ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, one day removed from returning for duty after a two-week suspension, dropped the news on Saturday. He reports that the deal is being finalized now and that a signed agreement is expected in the near future.

Knicks president Leon Rose and agent Spencer Breecker of CAA Sports are working to complete contractual terms and a signed agreement is expected in the near future, sources tell ESPN. https://t.co/77EnJuf436
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) July 25, 2020

Thibodeau was most recently the head coach of the Minnesota Timberwolves from 2016-19, and he was the head coach of the Chicago Bulls from 2010-15. Over the course of his career, he has a 352-246 record as a head coach and has taken his teams to the NBA Playoffs six times.

As news of this big hire circulated around social media, fans and analysts alike shared their reactions.

Thibs, the presumptive frontrunner for months, reunites with his former agent, Leon Rose, in New York. For Thibs, an ex-Knicks assistant, this is the closest thing to a dream coaching job. https://t.co/VV82bPNlB2
— Chris Mannix (@SIChrisMannix) July 25, 2020

Thibs is back baby https://t.co/hXqlwvWUFt pic.twitter.com/uU1luJ6Ps1
— Big Cat (@BarstoolBigCat) July 25, 2020

https://twitter.com/IanKenyonNFL/status/1287075337659125760

I give Tom Thibodeau 50 games before players get sick of him and the eventual mutiny happens
— Gifdsports (@gifdsports) July 25, 2020

Wow it has happened. Like this move from the Knicks. An established coach in the building. https://t.co/Hh7ya9ZCTF
— Jake Brown (@JakeBrownRadio) July 25, 2020

Washed re-tread hire https://t.co/MXuZ5euCR7
— warriorsworld (@warriorsworld) July 25, 2020

Told @Hardestyespn yesterday I didn’t think Jason Kidd made sense, and the only options I’d approve of were Thibs and Kenny Atkinson. This is a good hire. How time to draft well. https://t.co/rhzkSLdf7u
— Kristian Winfield (@Krisplashed) July 25, 2020

Clearly, reactions are mixed. The Knicks haven’t been a strong organization for years, with dysfunction being the operative word. Hopefully for the sake of their fans, Thibodeau can finally turn things around.

Sports world reacts to Knicks hiring Tom Thibodeau as franchise’s next head coach