Knicks sign coach Woodson to multiyear contract

Mike Woodson has denied reports that negotiations are underway to retain him as Knicks coach. (Getty Photo / May 8, 2012)

Reuters

7:57 p.m. EDT, May 25, 2012

The New York Knicks removed the interim label from Mike Woodson and named him their head coach on Friday.

Woodson signed a multiyear contract extension with the team, ESPN New York reported. The terms were not disclosed.

"I'm very humbled and honored to continue coaching the franchise where I started my NBA career," Woodson said in a statement. "Our goal is to build off the success we had at the end of last season and to continue our quest of bringing an NBA championship to Madison Square Garden."

The Knicks drafted Woodson in 1980.

Woodson took over as the Knicks interim coach after Mike D'Antoni resigned on March 14. The Knicks went 18-6 under Woodson and grabbed the No. 7 seed in the Eastern Conference playoffs. They lost to the Miami Heat in the first round.

"Mike took over the team under challenging circumstances and made it clear, starting on Day One, that he was going to hold every player on our roster accountable," Madison Square Garden chairman James Dolan said in a statement. "We saw a significant improvement since Mike took over and believe our team will only keep improving under Mike's direction."

Woodson was an assistant coach with the Knicks since August of 2011.

After D'Antoni stepped down, Phil Jackson and John Calipari were rumored to be potential replacements but Knicks general manager Glen Grunwald said in a statement that Woodson is the right choice.

"Mike has the respect of every person in this organization," he said. "He and his staff led the team in an impressive push into the playoffs over the last 24 games and we believe he is the right man to lead the franchise as we move forward."

Woodson coached the Atlanta Hawks from 2004-10 and guided them to three playoff appearances.

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