BREAKING NEWS: Former New York Knicks Head Coach Patrick Ewing Who Was Fired in 2000 he Has Now Called Back to Represent Mike Brown as General Manager of the New York Knicks and also served as the Knicks Vice President of….… details more

BREAKING NEWS: Patrick Ewing Returns to the New York Knicks as General Manager and Vice President of Basketball Operations

August 11, 2025 – New York, NY — In a shocking and nostalgic move that is sending shockwaves throughout the basketball world, the New York Knicks have officially announced the return of franchise legend Patrick Ewing — not as a coach or player, but this time in the front office. Ewing, who was fired as the Knicks’ head coach back in 2000, will now rejoin the organization in a dual role as General Manager and Vice President of Basketball Operations, representing Knicks Head Coach Mike Brown as the team enters a new era of leadership.

This move marks a significant homecoming for one of the most iconic figures in Knicks history. Ewing, a Hall of Fame center and the face of the Knicks throughout the 1980s and 1990s, had a complicated exit from the team as both a player and later a coach. But it appears time has healed old wounds.

Knicks Owner James Dolan addressed the media this morning in a surprise press conference held at Madison Square Garden.

“Patrick Ewing is not only a legendary Knick but a deeply respected basketball mind. We believe he brings a rare combination of leadership, vision, and deep understanding of what it means to wear the orange and blue. With Mike Brown as head coach and Patrick Ewing leading the front office, we’re confident this team is headed in the right direction.”

Ewing, now 63, spoke with visible emotion as he took the stage:

“This organization has always been in my heart. It’s an honor to return — not just to be part of the Knicks again, but to help build a team that can bring a championship back to New York. I’ve learned from every role I’ve had in this league, and I’m ready to lead.”

From Firing to Full Circle

Ewing’s last stint with the Knicks ended on a sour note in 2000 when he was let go after a disappointing playoff run. At the time, tensions between Ewing and team management were widely reported, particularly over his transition from player to coaching roles. Afterward, Ewing served in various assistant coaching roles with NBA teams, most notably with the Houston Rockets, Orlando Magic, and Charlotte Hornets, before finally becoming the head coach of Georgetown University, his alma mater, from 2017 to 2023.

Despite being a coaching mainstay, Ewing was often overlooked for front office roles — until now.

Sources close to the Knicks organization say this decision came after internal discussions following a disappointing postseason exit last year. With Mike Brown newly hired as head coach in June 2025, the team was reportedly looking to bring in a basketball operations leader who understood not only the game but also the New York fanbase and media landscape.

“Nobody understands what it means to be a Knick like Patrick,” said former teammate and Knicks legend John Starks. “This is a move that reconnects the team with its roots, and I think the fans are going to love it.”

A New Era Begins

Ewing’s immediate tasks as GM and VP of Basketball Operations will be to oversee the Knicks’ roster decisions ahead of the 2025-2026 NBA season, address key free agency concerns, and collaborate with Mike Brown on player development strategies.

He is also expected to play a major role in rebuilding the team’s culture and re-establishing the Knicks as a championship contender — a feat that has eluded the franchise for decades.

Knicks fans, many of whom took to social media with excitement and disbelief, are hoping this return will finally mark a turning point for the storied but long-struggling franchise.

“We’ve waited years to feel like the Knicks are back,” said one lifelong fan outside MSG. “If anyone can bring us back, it’s Pat.”

This homecoming for Patrick Ewing — once seen as impossible — is now a reality. And with the Knicks embracing their past while looking to the future, one thing is certain: the spotlight in New York just got a whole lot brighter.