If the New York Knicks are seeking a new head coach with ties to the Big East, they may need to explore other candidates. Rick Pitino, the head coach of St. John’s, has expressed that he is not pursuing the Knicks’ head coaching position, while UConn’s Dan Hurley has opted not to address the topic whatsoever.

Hurley had previously been considered a potential frontrunner for the position after he showed interest in the Los Angeles Lakers head coaching role last offseason. However, he rejected their offer, with his connections to the Northeast cited as a reason to stay at UConn.

“Not another summer of that,” Hurley stated to The Hartford Courant when questioned about the Knicks’ vacancy.

He further indicated a public reluctance to discuss any interest in the position. FOX Sports basketball analyst John Fanta noted, during an appearance on “The Herd,” that Hurley might only consider the Knicks job if they made direct contact.

Hurley recently agreed to a six-year, $50 million contract extension with UConn, who fell short in their quest to achieve back-to-back national championships, losing in the Round of 32.

Pitino’s St. John’s team posed a challenge for UConn last season, securing both the Big East regular-season and tournament championships—their first such wins since 1992 and 2000, respectively.

Despite his success in New York, Pitino reiterated his disinterest in the Knicks job, especially after the team parted ways with Thom Thibodeau following their playoff run.

“Absolutely not,” Pitino remarked when queried during the YES Network’s broadcast regarding the Knicks job.

He elaborated that the incoming coach would face immense pressure to succeed.

“I think whoever comes in, if he doesn’t get to the Finals, it’s going to be deemed an unsuccessful season,” added Pitino.

Pitino, a New Yorker, previously coached the Knicks for two seasons during the late 1980s and remarked that the firing of a coach who led the team to the Eastern Conference finals left many stunned.

“I think everybody’s kind of shocked. You don’t fire people that take you to the Eastern finals. They partied on 7th Avenue and we’re not even in the Finals,” he said.

As Pitino steps aside from consideration—and Hurley’s intentions remain uncertain—there are several other notable names that the Knicks might pursue for this role.