New Knicks president keeps quiet about Thomas' status as coach

0 Comments | USA TODAY, April, 2008 | by Jon Saraceno

With the worst-kept management secret in the NBA confirmed Wednesday, speculation zeroed in on whether Donnie Walsh will retain Isiah Thomas as coach of the New York Knicks.

No immediate answer was forthcoming at a news conference. But Madison Square Garden Chairman James Dolan made it clear that Walsh, who replaces the Hall of Fame guard as Knicks president, has been given the authority to decide -- if he hasn't already.

After Wednesday's loss at Memphis, the Knicks (20-55) were in last place in the Atlantic Division. The Knicks have not won a playoff game since Thomas became president in 2003. He began coaching the team after Larry Brown was fired in 2006.

It was Walsh who hired Thomas to coach the Indiana Pacers in 2000. Walsh, who helped...