NBA: Hornacek hired as Knicks coach

New New York Knicks head coach Jeff Hornacek. License Agreement. Christian Petersen/Getty Images/AFP

The New York Knicks named Jeff Hornacek as their new head coach on Thursday, filling the vacancy created by Derek Fisher’s dismissal earlier this year.

Hornacek, 53, joins the Knicks on a three-year deal worth $15 million with an option for a fourth year.

“Jeff has a tremendous basketball acumen and possesses strong leadership skills,” Knicks president Phil Jackson said.

“During his career as both a player and coach, he has demonstrated the ability to elevate the game.”

Former Phoenix Suns coach Hornacek was one of several candidates linked to the job, a group that included former Cleveland coach David Blatt and Golden State Warriors assistant Luke Walton.

“I am extremely excited and honored to be the next coach of such an historic franchise,” Hornacek said in a statement.

“I look forward to working with Phil — a coach and teacher of the game I have admired for many years — and collaborating with him and our staff to take this team to the level that Knicks fans expect.”

Hornacek joins the Knicks after an ultimately unsuccessful spell in Phoenix. He was fired by the Suns in February as the team languished with a 14-35 record. In his previous two seasons he had finished 48-34 and 39-43.

The Knicks finished the season third from bottom of the Eastern Conference standings with a 32-50 record.