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Former New York Knicks head coach Tom Thibodeau has released a classy statement thanking Knicks fans after the 67-year-old head coach was controversially fired by the organization despite taking the team to their first Eastern Conference Finals since the year 2000. In his five seasons with the Knicks, Thibodeau’s overall regular-season and playoff record was 226-174 with four playoff appearances.
Despite finishing the regular season with a 51-31 record and upsetting the defending champion Boston Celtics in the playoffs to take the team to their first Eastern Conference Finals in a quarter century, Tom Thibodeau was fired by the New York Knicks on June 3, with reports indicating that unpopular owner James Dolan was the one who “spearheaded” his dismissal.
Regardless of his relatively unceremonious exit from the franchise, Thibodeau took out a full-page ad in the New York Times to thank the city and the fans, which he called the “best in the world.”
“To the best city in the world with the best fans in the world: Thank you. When I was hired in 2020, I said this was my dream job. I am grateful that dreams became a reality. Thank you to our players and coaching staff who gave everything they had, and to everyone who makes this franchise special. I am proud of everything we accomplished together, including four playoff appearances and this year’s run to the Eastern Conference finals — our first in 25 years,” Thibodeau wrote.
“And to the fans, thank you for believing in me and embracing me from day one. Watching you support our team, and seeing the Garden ignite with that incomparable Knicks energy, is something I will never forget.”
Thank you, New York. pic.twitter.com/bKpZlBEgux
— Tom Thibodeau (@thibodeau_96709) June 11, 2025
Given the way Thibodeau turned the previously moribund Knicks franchise around, the decision to fire him hasn’t necessarily been a popular one in New York, becoming just the latest controversial move made by widely-disliked billionaire owner James Dolan.
Since his firing, the Knicks have had interview requests with Dallas Mavericks coach Jason Kidd, Houston Rockets coach Ime Udoka, and Minnesota Timberwolves coach Chris Finch denied.