Report: Phil Jackson offered job in Knicks front office

Phil Jackson (left) met with Knicks officials two weeks ago. (Stephen Dunn/Getty Images)

The New York Knicks have offered 11-time NBA champion coach Phil Jackson a job in the team's front office, according to the New York Daily News.Jackson has stated in the past that he would be interested in potentially joining an NBA front office.

It is unclear at this time what exactly Jackson's role would be with the Knicks, but the Daily News reports that he is expected to give New York his decision within the next week. From the report:

It is unclear what position the Knicks offered but the NBA source said that it would be "more than just a consulting job." If Jackson is put in charge of the front office, it would represent the first time he has done so in his illustrious career. Moreover, it remains to be seen if Jackson, who has had health problems in the past, would have the energy and appetite to want to scout.

Jackson played with the Knicks for 10 seasons and won championships with New York in 1970 and 1973, the only NBA titles in franchise history.

Knicks president and general manager Steve Mills met with Jackson two weeks ago in Los Angeles to discuss the possibility of Jackson becoming New York's next head coach, sources told ESPN's Stephen A. Smith, who reported the story Friday morning.

Jackson didn't seem interested in the position at this time, according to Smith. Jackson was reportedly upset Knicks owner James Dolan didn't attend the meeting, and Smith added that the 68-year-old seemed "reticent" about discussing the position.

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Smith said on ESPN that the meeting highlights the Knicks' desire to part ways with current head coach Mike Woodson, who has guided the team to a disappointing 22-40 record after New York was the No. 2 seed in the Eastern Conference playoffs last season.

The Knicks, who snapped a seven-game losing streak in Minnesota on Wednesday, are 5.5 games behind the Hawks for the final playoff spot going into Friday night's game against the Jazz at Madison Square Garden.

Jackson was 1,155-485 (.704) in 20 regular seasons as coach of the Bulls and Lakers. He was 229-104 (.688) in the playoffs, with 11 titles in 13 finals appearances.

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