By WFAN.com
It's official: David Fizdale is the Knicks' new head coach.
The Knicks announced the hire in a news release Monday. Fizdale will be introduced at a Tuesday press conference at Madison Square Garden.
MORE: 5 Facts About David Fizdale
"I appreciate the enormous responsibility it is to coach the Knicks and am ready to give my all to build the type of winning team the passionate fans of New York will be proud of," Fizdale, 43, said in the release.
News first broke of Fizdale's hiring Thursday. The Knicks did not disclose the terms of his deal, but reports last week said the two sides were working on a four-year contract.
"After a thorough coaching search, it was clear that David would be a great fit with the Knicks and we're thrilled that he is joining our organization," team president Steve Mills said. "He is an experienced coach, strong leader, and effective communicator, who understands what it takes to build a winning culture."
"David is a dynamic coach who will thrive in New York," general manager Scott Perry said. "His championship pedigree, resiliency and expertise in player development make David well-suited to establish the Knicks as a consistent winning basketball team."
MORE: Schmeelk: Knicks Make Good Hire In David Fizdale
Fizdale was one of 11 candidates New York considered during its search for the team's next head coach. In addition to Fizdale, Mills and Perry spoke to Mark Jackson, David Blatt, Juwan Howard, Jay Larranaga, James Borrego, Mike Budenholzer, Mike Woodson, Mike Brown, Jerry Stackhouse and Kenny Smith.
After winning 43 games and leading the Grizzlies to a postseason berth in his first season as head coach in Memphis, Fizdale was fired just 19 games into his second campaign amid reports of a rift between him and starting center Marc Gasol.
Fizdale began his NBA coaching career in 2003 as an assistant with the Golden State Warriors. After spending a few seasons with the Atlanta Hawks, he went to the Miami Heat, where he won two championships over eight seasons as an assistant coach.
The Knicks will hope he will have the same effect on their young team, which has missed the playoffs the past five seasons and could struggle again next season while All-Star Kristaps Porzingis recovers from a torn knee ligament.
LISTEN: 'City Game' Podcast Reacts To Fizdale Hire
The former Grizzlies coach was considered one of the hottest coaching candidates this offseason.
Fizdale is New York's 11th head coach since the 2001-02 season, and the fifth since the start of the 2010-11 season.
He replaces Jeff Hornacek, who was fired last month after going 60-104 in two seasons with the Knicks.
