Isiah accepts FIU coaching job

The former New York Knicks president and coach was hired to take over FIU's program Tuesday, a move that gives the Hall of Fame player a second chance to revive his career.

Financial terms of his five-year contract weren't immediately released. A news conference to introduce Thomas was planned for Wednesday.

"We are very excited to have such a legendary athlete and proven winner in Isiah Thomas to lead our men's basketball program," FIU athletic director Pete Garcia said. "There is no doubt that Isiah will give FIU a tremendous opportunity to take the basketball program to the highest level."

Thomas helped the Detroit Pistons win two NBA championships as a point guard, then coached the Indiana Pacers before taking over in New York, where an array of problems marred his tenure. He has never coached at the college level.

Undeterred, FIU moved quickly to lock up its top choice for the job.

"I think we can get good players from across Florida and around the country to buy into our plan to make this a top-tier basketball program," Thomas said in a statement released by the school. "I'm committed to growing something here, and strongly believe that over time, we'll put a team on the floor that everyone at FIU can be proud of."

Thomas goes to FIU after several years of losing and legal problems in New York.

The Knicks finished 23-59 a year ago, prompting Thomas' firing. They never won a playoff game in his stay as president or coach, and his overall record in New York was 56-108.

"I think it's a great thing for him and it's kind of what I wanted for him from the day I let him go," Knicks president Donnie Walsh said.

Thomas' hiring brings another coach with strong New York ties to the Sun Belt's schools in South Florida: Former St. John's coach Mike Jarvis just completed his first year at Florida Atlantic, about an hour north of FIU in Boca Raton.

"I think it is a great day for the league, to be very honest with you," Jarvis said. "Anything that will help bring real media attention to the league, it helps. It helps with recruiting, it helps with perceptions that people have."

Jarvis, who said he felt badly for Rouco and lauded the job he did at FIU, added he didn't find it stunning that Thomas chose to start again at the mid-major college level.

"Nothing surprises me in the world of sports anymore," Jarvis said.

Thomas played his college ball at Indiana for Bob Knight, helping the Hoosiers win the 1981 national championship. From there, he spent his NBA playing career with the Pistons, appeared in 11 All-Star games and was the MVP of the 1990 NBA finals, when Detroit won its second straight title.

"Coming back to the college game has always been a dream of mine, and I didn't want to pass up an opportunity to go somewhere where we can build a basketball legacy together," Thomas said.