The Knicks Have Terrible News For Jalen Brunson After Mike Brown Decision

The Knicks Have Terrible News For Jalen Brunson After Mike Brown Decision originally appeared on Athlon Sports.

It's the dawn of a new era for the New York Knicks. Mike Brown is ready to take the reins and pick up where Tom Thibodeau left off before his surprising firing.

Notably, that will also mean reshaping the coaching staff and making sure to take the bull by the horns from the very beginning, even if that means ruffling some feathers.

According to Knicks insider Stefan Bondy, Brown and the Knicks will demote Jalen Brunson's father,  Rick Brunson, from his associate head coach position:

“Mike Brown is expected to hire a new associate head coach, The Post has learned, a move that will change the dynamics in the front of the Knicks bench by giving Rick Brunson a lesser role,” Bondy reported.

Mike Brown plans to give Rick Brunson a reduced role on the Knicks’ coaching staff, per @SbondyNBA

“Mike Brown is expected to hire a new associate head coach, The Post has learned, a move that will change the dynamics in the front of the Knicks bench by giving Rick Brunson a… pic.twitter.com/o7hRKbJrLt

— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) July 8, 2025

Brunson has been a subject of controversy multiple times in the past, with reports stating that he had way too much power on the team.

He also starred in an infamous exchange with former Knicks guard Donte DiVincenzo in the preseason.

Even so, as much as this might stir the pot in the locker room, the report adds that Brunson is aware of and actually on board with his demotion:

"It’s viewed as a gesture by the organization to give Brown more control while simultaneously addressing the distractions or perceptions of conflicts of interest that arose last season by having the star player’s father as the top assistant," Bondy continued. "Rick Brunson is said to be on board with the demotion."

Power dynamics are complicated, and while Brunson is clearly the face of the franchise, the organization wants the new coach to get a clean slate.

The Knicks have championship aspirations, and everybody will have to be on the same page to finally get over the hump.

This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jul 8, 2025, where it first appeared.