Sports / New York Knicks Knicks Fire Coach Thomas Patience finally runs out on woeful 'rebuilding' process at Madison Square Garden By Nick McMaster, Newser Staff Posted Apr 18, 2008 5:18 PM CDT Copied New York Knicks coach Isiah Thomas gestures while responding to questions during a news conference Wednesday, April 9, 2008, in New York, before the Knicks' NBA basketball game against the Charlotte Hornets. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II) Isiah Thomas was fired today as head coach of the New York Knicks, the Times reports. Team president Donnie Walsh said that Thomas will remain as an adviser, although he’ll have no direct responsibilities. The Knicks were 56-108 in his two seasons at coach; they've made little headway since Thomas was named team president in 2003 and tasked with rebuilding the franchise. This season, which began with playoff hopes, was tainted by Thomas’ standoff with point guard Stephon Marbury, further sapping the team’s morale. Even outside of basketball, Thomas proved to be a $11.5 million liability last fall, when he and Madison Square Garden were found culpable in a sexual-harassment lawsuit. (More New York Knicks stories.) Get breaking news in your inbox. What you need to know, as soon as we know it. Sign up Report an error