Mike Woodson Denies Contract Talk Rumors With Knicks

New York Knicks interim head coach Mike Woodson is denying rumors that he has been in talks with the Knicks front office, talks that would remove the “interim” title from his job next season.

After practice on Tuesday the coach said of the rumor:

“That’s not true, not at all.”

When asked directly if rumored talks had occurred between himself and top team officials Woodson said:

“Absolutely. … We have not.”

Woodson took over the head coaching position from Mike D’Antoni on March 15 and led the Knicks to an 18-6 finish to the regular season. Now in the Eastern Conference playoffs the New York Knicks are down 3-1 to the Miami Heat.

The rumor started after the New York Daily News reports that Woodson and Madison Square Garden chairman James Dolan met for 45 minutes on Sunday.

When asked if he felt enough had been accomplished under his coaching to warrant a full season Woodson said:

“I don’t look at it like that. I went 53-29 (in 2009-10) in Atlanta and was out of a job. So I don’t look at it that way. What’s going to happen will happen. Right now I do have a job and I’m coaching the New York Knicks. They gave me that opportunity and I’m just trying to make the most of it. Right now the job is not completed.”

Coming out to support their interim coach has been Carmelo Anthony and Amare Stoudemire who both said they would love to see Woodson return as their full-time coach for the 2012-2013 season.

In the meantime Mike Woodson could have to overcome a HUGE obstacle as rumors are circulating that the New York Knicks might offer retired Bulls-Lakers head coach Phil Jackson an insane amount of money to come out of retirement.