Van Gundy stuns Knicks with resignation

PURCHASE, N.Y. -- Jeff Van Gundy resigned unexpectedly as head coach of the New York Knicks on Saturday, saying he had lost his focus and thought about quitting since the summer.

The stunning decision came as the Knicks were playing their best basketball of the season, winning five of six games to get above .500 after a poor start.

Van Gundy was in his seventh season with New York, the longest tenure by a Knicks head coach since Red Holtzman guided the team for 10 seasons beginning in 1968.

"In my heart I knew what was right, but it was still a difficult decision to come to," Van Gundy said at the Knicks' practice facility.

"I didn't feel my focus was at its best. I didn't want to hurt our team. I certainly don't regret the effort I put forth. I just think it's time to step back and let the team move on."

Van Gundy said he spoke with team president Scott Layden several times since the summer to express how he was feeling and that he decided Wednesday -- the day after a 14-point victory at Milwaukee -- that he was going to quit.

He's the first NBA coach to resign or be fired this season.

"I'm going to step back and exhale for the first time in 13 years," Van Gundy said. "When I told my daughter today, she said: 'Does this mean you get to have lunch with me?' So that's cool."

Van Gundy told the players of his decision at their morning shootaround.

"We were all shocked. I didn't see this coming at all," guard Mark Jackson said.

Van Gundy took the Knicks to the playoffs in each of his first six seasons, including a trip to the 1999 NBA Finals and two trips to the Eastern Conference finals.

Assistant Don Chaney was to coach New York against the Indiana Pacers at home Saturday night, but the team said it hadn't chosen a head or interim coach.

The 39-year-old Van Gundy had been a member of the Knicks' staff since 1989, serving as an assistant under Pat Riley, Don Nelson and Stu Jackson.

He leaves as the third-winningest coach in team history with a record of 248-172, including 10-9 this season.