The New York Knicks underwent a major coaching staff shake-up in July 2025, as new head coach Mike Brown dismissed four longtime assistants but retained Rick Brunson, the father of star guard Jalen Brunson. This radical change signals a shift in coaching philosophy amid Brown’s efforts to implement his system and maintain stability around the team’s key players.

Significant Staff Dismissals Mark a New Direction

Mike Brown’s arrival brought immediate uncertainty to the Knicks’ coaching bench, where loyalty to former head coach Tom Thibodeau ran deep. After weeks of speculation, Brown decisively cut four core members of Thibodeau’s staff: Andy Greer, Dice Yoshimoto, Daniel Brady, and Othella Harrington. These assistants had specialized roles, including defense coordination, player development, and mentoring the big men, all rooted in the previous coaching regime.

League insiders confirmed these departures as part of Brown’s restructuring for the coming season. According to NBA reporter Stefan Bondy,

“Andy Greer, Dice Yoshimoto, Daniel Brady and Othella Harrington will not be returning to the Knicks next season. They were all assistants under Thibodeau.”

—Stefan Bondy, NBA Reporter

The dismissals reflect Brown’s desire for staff members who align with his switch-heavy defensive style and positionless basketball. Greer’s defensive schemes clashed with Brown’s strategic approach, while Yoshimoto’s background as a video coordinator did not meet Brown’s requirements for detailed tactical planning. Harrington, a longtime veteran focusing on post play, was also considered outdated in the evolving basketball landscape. Brady’s growing reputation in player development was outweighed by Brown’s need for different skill sets in the coaching staff.

Rick Brunson Remains a Key Figure Amid Overhaul

While Brown replaced much of the coaching team, Rick Brunson’s position remained secure. As the father of the team’s franchise cornerstone, Jalen Brunson, Rick Brunson’s presence carries both personal and professional significance. A seasoned coach and former NBA journeyman, Rick has accrued 23 years of coaching experience across the NBA and high school ranks, including a notable transformation of Camden High’s basketball program.

He joined Thibodeau’s staff in 2022 and became vital for his ability to connect with players while bridging different coaching philosophies. Rick’s role developing guards and his demonstrated loyalty to system principles earned him trust beyond the familial connection.

Keeping Rick Brunson was also a strategic move to preserve locker-room chemistry, especially considering Jalen Brunson’s status as an All-NBA star who values his father’s guidance deeply. Insider observations emphasize that his retention is based on merit rather than nepotism, with one source stating,

“He’s earned his seat, not inherited it.”

—Unnamed Insider

Rick’s adaptability and understanding of player needs are expected to ease the transition as Brown imposes his style on the Knicks. His presence offers a critical link between the past and future, providing veteran players with a familiar figure they can trust while embracing new coaching methods.

Implications of Brown’s Staff Reorganization for the Knicks

This sweeping staff overhaul represents more than a routine personnel shuffle; it is a sign of Mike Brown’s intent to reshape the Knicks’ culture fundamentally. By removing long-serving assistants tied closely to Thibodeau and his defensive ethos, Brown is emphasizing his preference for a more versatile and collaborative approach to coaching.

At the same time, the decision to retain Rick Brunson speaks to the complexities of maintaining continuity in a high-pressure environment where player morale and franchise stability are crucial. Rick’s role is likely to be pivotal in balancing respect for the club’s established identity with the demands of a new coaching era.

As the Knicks prepare for the upcoming NBA season, all eyes will be on how this fractured but focused staff performs. Their ability to integrate new systems while supporting key players like Jalen Brunson could define the team’s success amid rising expectations. For Mike Brown, this risky but thoughtful reboot may determine whether the Knicks rise or stumble in a highly competitive league.