Isiah Thomas was fired Friday as head coach of the New York Knicks, ending a turbulent tenure with the franchise. 

The New York Daily News reported Thursday that Knicks president Donnie Walsh informed Thomas of the decision last week, but he claimed that he told Thomas on
Friday morning. 

Isiah Thomas posted a 56-108 record in two seasons as Knicks head coach.
(Michael Conroy/Associated Press)

Thomas, who turns 47 on April 30, will remain with the Knicks — reporting directly to Walsh.

"He will not have an official title," Walsh said. "But he will provide meaningful input to me."

The Knicks were a woeful 23-59 this season, and have reached the NBA playoffs just once since Thomas took control of basketball operations on Dec. 22, 2003.

Thomas replaced Larry Brown as head coach on July 22, 2006, following a troubled 23-59 campaign, plus served as team president until Walsh was hired April 2.

"It is very difficult to be the coach and general manager," Walsh said. "Maybe it was too much."

"I cannot tell you really where we failed," he continued. "The bottom line is we have not won and the team did not look like it was motivated to try to win."

Brown had roughly $40 million US remaining on his five-year, $50-million US contract, but he negotiated a lucrative settlement on Oct. 30, 2006.

Thomas put the Knicks within striking distance of the eighth and final post-season berth last season, only to lose 15 of 19 games and fall out of contention.

"We have lost for four years, and Isiah has been the coach the last two years," Walsh said. "I just think a new voice, a new coach is necessary to change the direction of the team." 

Thomas went 56-108 overall as head coach in New York, and sullied the team's reputation as the defendant in a much-publicized sexual harassment lawsuit filed by former Knicks executive Anucha Browne Sanders.

Thomas and Madison Square Garden, which owns the Knicks, were found guilty and the company was ordered to pay $11.6 million US in damages.

"Some of the bigger events that happened on the way with Isiah overshadowed some of the good things," Walsh said. "I will be in touch with Isiah a lot."

Thomas, a Hall of Fame guard with the Detroit Pistons, coached the Indiana Pacers for three seasons — he was hired by Walsh, then a Pacers executive — before bolting for New York.

He is 187-223 as an NBA head coach, and a former vice-president and part-owner of the Toronto Raptors.

With files from the Associated Press