Knicks Coach: Patrick Ewing, Jeff Van Gundy Indicate Interest in Coaching New York

Ever since Mike D'Antoni resigned as head coach of the Knicks, the team has been one of the hottest teams in the NBA.

New York is 8-1 under interim head coach Mike Woodson. The team has played extremely well of late, even after suffering key injuries. On Wednesday night, the Knicks beat the Magic by 22 points without Jeremy Lin or Amare Stoudemire. New York led by as much as 39 points in the game.

Despite the team's success, it's far from a certainty that Woodson will return as the permanent head coach next season. Many big names have been linked to the job, including Phil Jackson and Jerry Sloan.

It also seems that two former Knicks have interest in the job.

Former Knicks star Patrick Ewing indicated that he would be interested in coaching his old team.

My goal is to be a head coach. I hope to get interviews everywhere where there's a job open, Ewing told the New York Post. I think (Woodson) is a fine coach, Ewing said before the game. He's done an outstanding job in the eight games he's taken over. But any opportunity I get, I'm ready.

Ewing retired in 2002, and is an assistant coach with the Magic. He has spent multiple years as an assistant, also coaching with Washington and Houston.

Jeff Van Gundy was Ewing's head coach from 1995-2000. He resigned as the Knicks head man 19 games into the 2001-2002 Season. He left New York abruptly, but won't rule out a return to the Big Apple.

When asked if he would like to coach the Knicks again, Van Gundy did not deny that he would be interested, simply saying Woodson has done a great job thus far.

You know me better than talk about somebody else's job,'' the former Knicks coach said. When I was interim coach, I looked down the people commenting on whether they would take the job, It was not very cool. I certainly wouldn't do that. I said from the time (Woodson) took over, the guy is an outstanding coach. Mike Woodson, to me if he hadn't been an assistant , he'd be a great candidate to be head coach.''

The former coach said he enjoyed working for Knicks owner James Dolan, and he was very happy in New York.

Van Gundy was a fan favorite, and would probably be welcomed back with open arms by many. He led the Knicks to the playoffs every year as the team's head coach. The current NBA analyst also coached the Rockets from 2003-2007.

Even if the team continues their hot play, don't expect Knicks management to make a decision anytime soon. When D'Antoni resigned, Dolan said he would evaluate Woodson at the end of the season.