John Calipari reached out to Knicks about open president position

The Knicks let go of Phil Jackson ahead of free agency and are looking for a replacement.

Kentucky’s John Calipari has reportedly expressed interest in joining the New York Knicks’ front office as President, according to ESPN’s Ian Begley. The news comes after the Knicks moved on from Phil Jackson earlier in the week. It’s reported that the Knicks are not currently interested in the idea of Calipari making a return to the NBA at this time. It’s possible that Calipari would want to coach the team as well as have a role as president.

Calipari is currently the head coach of the University of Kentucky men’s basketball team, where has been since 2009. Calipari has taken Kentucky to the Final Four in 2011, 2012, 2014, and 2015, with a national championship in 2012. While at Kentucky, he has sent several players to the NBA with much success, including John Wall, DeMarcus Cousins, Anthony Davis, Karl-Anthony Towns, and Devin Booker.

Calipari also has NBA experience of his own. He took the head coaching position for the New Jersey Nets at the beginning of the 1996-97 season, where the Nets went 26-56. The following season was an improvement as the Nets went 43-39, taking eighth place in the Eastern Conference. During the 1998-99 season, Calipari was fired after the Nets got out to a 3-17 start following the lockout. He then joined the Philadelphia 76ers and was an assistant coach for Larry Brown for the remainder of the year.