Knicks coaching search: 'Of course I'd listen if Phil calls' says Jeff Van Gundy

New York Knicks president Phil Jackson is now into his second go around as he looks to fill the team's head coaching vacancy, having lost out on his first choice, Steve Kerr. 

Jackson is reportedly looking for a young coach, one he can groom, preferably with a knowledge of the triangle offense. So far there has been no indication Jackson would look outside of those criteria.

However, if he were to change his mind and go with a blast from the past, Jeff Van Gundy would be happy to hear what he has to say.

Van Gundy appeared on ESPN Radio's "The Ian O'Connor Show" on Sunday, and the Knicks' head coaching vacancy was a topic of discussion.

“If Phil Jackson ever wanted to talk basketball with me, which, listen, who knows if that's true, but if he ever did, of course I would take the time, because I'm sure I could benefit from the conversation,” Van Gundy said.

Jackson and Van Gundy were rivals in the 1990s when Jackson coached the Bulls and Van Gundy coached the Knicks.

Even with his interest in the position, Van Gundy understands Jackson's desire to hire someone within his inner circle, though he doesn't believe that's a given at this point.

I think it makes sense for him to talk to people that he philosophically shares a great deal of agreement on. But even if you haven't coached, certainly, in a triangle system, I don't think that will preclude him from looking at people, because while you may not have had expertise, or experience coaching in the triangle, most coaches believe in unselfishness, floor balance, and defensive rebounding. So I'm not sure that whoever he hires is going to have had to have worked for him. I think it would be a benefit if he had worked with him before, but I think a lot of people could coach in a manner in which he would find it as a positive.