David Fizdale’s coaching staff has been assembled.
The Knicks announced Thursday that Keith Smart, Jud Buechler, Pat Sullivan and Royal Ivey have been hired as assistant coaches. Howard Eisley, a Hornacek assistant, is still in the organization, but it’s unclear whether he’ll keep his assistant role.
Smart, a former player, was a Fizdale assistant in Memphis and worked alongside him on Erik Spoelstra’s staff in Miami. Buechler, who played under Lute Olson in Arizona and had a decade-long career as a player, was an assistant on Luke Walton’s Lakers staff before coming to the Knicks.
Sullivan has been an assistant coach on four different teams since 2004, spending the last two seasons with the Clippers. Ivey comes to New York from Oklahoma City, where he had worked under Billy Donovan since 2016.
“We’re thrilled to have this diverse group of high character coaches join the Knicks,” Fizdale said in a statement released by the team. “They are highly motivated and bring a wealth of basketball experience that will be a great fit in developing and building this team. All four coaches are tireless workers, reliable teammates and share the same intense passion to win.”