NEW YORK, Dec. 10 (UPI) -- The New York Knicks were expected Monday to name Don Chaney interim coach for the rest of the season, two days after Jeff Van Gundy's unexpected resignation.
Chaney, who would become the club's 19th coach, coach in club history. owns an unimpressive 266-382 NBA coaching record. .He guided the Knicks to a 101-99 victory over the Indiana Pacers Saturday after Van Gundy resigned earlier in the day.
Chaney, 55, is in his seventh season on the Knicks' coaching staff. He was passed over for the Knicks' interim job in favor of Van Gundy after Don Nelson was fired during the 1995-96 season.
The NBA Coach of the Year with the Houston Rockets in 1990-91, Chaney has not had a head coaching job since getting fired by the Detroit Pistons following the 1994-95 season. He had a disastrous two-year tenure with Detroit, posting an abysmal 48-116 record.
Prior to his stint in Detroit, Chaney also coached the Rockets (1988-91) and the Los Angeles Clippers (1984-87).
As a player, Chaney was a first-round pick of the Boston Celtics in 1968 and a member of Boston's championship teams in 1969 and 1974. A five-time NBA All-Defensive second team selection, Chaney also played with the Los Angeles Lakers and the ABA's Spirits of St. Louis.
