Lute Olson to New York Post: Steve Kerr “more than likely” will accept Knicks’ coaching job

Lute Olson with Steve Kerr behind him at Olson’s retirement ceremony in 2009 (YouTube video capture)

The New York Post reported this morning that Arizona coaching legend Lute Olson expects his star player Steve Kerr to accept the New York Knicks coaching job.

“I have talked to and I got the feeling from Steve if it’s offered, he’d more than likely accept,’’ Olson told The Post. “If he’s going to do it, this is the right time to do it. And I think people in New York would really enjoy having him as coach of the Knicks.’’

The report, written by Marc Berman, suggest that Kerr will be willing move to the East coast because his kids are grown. Olson told Berman that Kerr’s oldest son (Nick) is heading into his senior year at UC-San Diego, his daughter (Maddy) is at Cal-Berkeley playing volleyball and his youngest son (Matthew) will be a high school senior.

Olson denied reports that Kerr would rather coach closer to his Del Mar, Calif., home because Kerr’s former coach with the Bulls, Phil Jackson, is the Knicks’ team president. Olson added that Kerr’s relationship with Jackson trumps everything.

“I think Phil being here is a huge thing,’’ Olson told the Post. “That’s really important to [Kerr], having a general manager who’s is going to be in your corner.”

SI.com reported this morning that with Lakers coach Mike D’Antoni resigning that the team should go after Kerr. That report, however, was written in generalities about Kerr’s West coast background.

Kerr recently completed the Washington-Chicago series with TNT broadcast partner Marv Albert with the Wizards winning the series in five games. He has also worked the Memphis-Oklahoma City series, which the Grizzlies lead 3-2.

If Kerr is to accept the Knicks’ offer, he will likely not work the next round of games for TNT. Therefore, expect Kerr’s announcement to become the Knicks’ coaching job this weekend or early next week.

Kerr’s hiring by New York will give Olson and the Arizona basketball program their first head coach at the NBA level. It would also mean that Arizona will have two former stars — including Cleveland Indians manager Terry Francona — coaching/managing two professional teams.

Olson mentioned in the New York Post report that “No question (Kerr would) hire assistants with great character.”

I contend that includes Luke Walton, another guy who played for Olson and Jackson.

ALLSPORTSTUCSON.com publisher, writer and editor Javier Morales is a former Arizona Press Club award winner. He also writes articles for Bleacher Report and Lindy’s College Sports.

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