Red Holzman, the guy who came to New York with an 83-120 lifetime record and after being out of NBA coaching for over a decade, is the ONLY coach in Knicks history to lead them to 50-win seasons in three different decades. Seriously, think about that for a second. That’s not just a good run; that’s reshaping what a franchise even thinks is possible, and it’s why he’s sitting atop the list of all-time Knicks coaches.
Holzman’s Unbelievable Turnaround and Dominant Consistency
This isn’t just about a couple of good years. Holzman racked up as many 50-win seasons as Joe Lapchick, Jeff Van Gundy, and Tom Thibodeau *combined*. Lapchick’s 1953 squad even hit the equivalent of 55 wins in a shorter 70-game season. Yet, Holzman, despite that shaky start and long layoff from the league, just kept putting up Ws. He was the head man for the Milwaukee Hawks back when George Mikan ruled the north, followed the franchise to St. Louis for a bit, then landed in New York and just never looked back. This dude retired as the Knicks coach two years before Michael Jordan even showed up in the league, if that tells you anything about his longevity.
Flipping the Script on Knicks History
He just knew how to win, period. From Walt Bellmay and Willis Reed, to Micheal Ray Richardson and yes, even Mike Woodson, Holzman got it done with all kinds of players, in all kinds of ways, in New York. The Knicks have played 80 seasons total, with 77 of those ending without a championship. One championship happened just two months ago, and the other two were led by a coach named William H. But look at the bigger picture: Before Red’s run at Madison Square Garden, the Knicks went 0-for-21 trying to win a championship. Since then? They’re 1-for-44. That’s a massive shift in the franchise’s story.
What Holzman did was nothing short of legendary. He didn’t just coach a team; he redefined what the Knicks could be. It wasn’t about flashy moves; it was about getting the best out of everyone, year after year, decade after decade. That’s what true coaching greatness looks like.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Posting and Toasting.
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