Jeff Van Gundy is exploring a return to coaching after being laid off as a top analyst by ESPN last week, Sports Illustrated reported Thursday.
Van Gundy hasn’t coached in the NBA since 2007, the same year he joined ESPN. He was among the on-air staff dropped by the network in a cost-cutting move.
Van Gundy “has been actively exploring a return to coaching” in an assistant role, per the report. Further, he had discussions with the Dallas Mavericks and Boston Celtics before they added staff, leaving coach Wes Unseld Jr.’s staff with the Washington Wizards as a possible landing spot, per SI.
Van Gundy, 61, has a 430-318 career record as head coach of the New York Knicks (1995-2002) and Houston Rockets (2003-07). His teams went 44-44 in the playoffs, and he led the Knicks to the Eastern Conference championship in 1999. The San Antonio Spurs defeated New York in five games to win the NBA title.
–Field Level Media