Knicks name Chaney coach for rest of season

The New York Knicks named Don Chaney head coach for the rest of the season on Monday, two days after Jeff Van Gundy's surprise resignation.

"I am very grateful to the Knicks organization, and am looking forward to taking over the head coaching duties for one of the world's greatest sports franchises," Chaney said at a news conference.

Chaney, who owns a 266-382 NBA coaching record, was on the bench as coach on Saturday night for a 101-99 victory over the Indiana Pacers hours after Van Gundy's unexpected announcement that he was quitting.

"As a player and a coach, New York has always been a very special place to me, and I am honoured to be able to work with a great staff and a quality group of players as we compete for an NBA championship," said the 55-year-old former assistant who is in his seventh season as member of the Knicks' staff.

A one-time NBA Coach of the Year with the Houston Rockets in 1990-91, Chaney has not had a head coaching job since getting fired after a dismal two-year stint with the Detroit Pistons from 1993-95 in which the team went 48-116.

Chaney also coached the Los Angeles Clippers from 1984-87 before taking over in Houston from 1988-91.

"He has great knowledge of our players and a successful system already in place, and that experience is invaluable at the critical part of the season," Knicks general manager Scott Layden said in introducing his new head coach.

As a player, Chaney was a member of Boston Celtics championship teams in 1969 and 1974.

Van Gundy, who guided the Knicks to the 1999 NBA Finals, said Saturday that he felt he had lost the focus and intensity necessary to do the job.

The Knicks currently stand third in the Atlantic Division with an 11-9 record following a three-game winning streak.