There have been few coaching situations that have been bungled in quite the way the Knicks have bungled their situation this offseason.

The team started with firing Tom Thibodeau after he led them to 51 wins and a trip to the conference finals for the first time in 25 years. That was a surprise move, but the presumption was that the Knicks had a Thibs replacement plan in their back pocket.

Except they didn’t. The team, embarrsingly, flailed around in search of coaches currently already employed, reportedly seeking permission to interview the likes of Dallas’ Jason Kidd, Atlanta’s Quin Snyder, Houston’s Ime Udoka, Chicago’s Billy Donovan and Minnesota’s Chris Finch.

They were shot down on all attempts.

The Knicks have since sorted through retread coaches Mike Brown, Taylor Jenkins and James Borrego, as well as upcoming assitant coach Micah Nori. Without much progress anywhere else, the likelihood is that the next Knicks coach is among that group.

South Carolina Gamecocks head coach Dawn Staley talks with the media after an NCAA Tournament practice session at Legacy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Vasha Hunt-Imagn Images

But, The Athletic reported on Tuesday that the Knicks did have a surprise interview in the mix–with South Carolina women’s coach Dawn Staley, already a member of the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame.

The good news for Staley was that she got the interview. The bad news was delivered by James Edwards of The Athletic: She’s not among the finalists for the job.

Edwards wrote: “During this process, the Knicks also reached out to South Carolina women’s basketball coach Dawn Staley, league sources told The Athletic. And while she impressed in that conversation, she is currently not considered a finalist for the position, league sources said.”

Edwards indicated that Brown would be back in for a second interview, which could be a precursor to him landing the job.

Staley has a 647-190 record in women’s college basketball, first at Temple and, for the past 17 years, at South Carolina. She has made seven Final Four appearances and won four national championships with the Gamecocks.