Pitino coached Jackson during the latter's first two seasons in the NBA. Under his guidance, Jackson was the NBA's Rookie of the Year in 1988 and secured an All-Star selection the following season.

Though there is no indication Jackson is a candidate for a Garden return, Pitino — who coached the Knicks from 1987-89, and earned AP Coach of the Year this season for St. John’s — took to social media earlier this week to tell his former employer that there is an ideal candidate actually available.

The New York Knicks are still looking for their next coach, after getting rejected by a number of franchises for the chance to interview other current head coaches for the job last held by Tom Thibodeau.