Daly Turns Down Knicks’ Coaching Job; Nelson, Ford On List

Chuck Daly, who appeared to be the front-runner for the vacant New York Knicks coaching job, withdrew from consideration Friday.

Two days after meeting with Knicks officials to discuss the position, Daly said he doesn’t want to replace Pat Riley, who quit last week.

“It’s an intriguing job - one of the five or six best coaching jobs in sports,” Daly said in a statement released by the Knicks.

“But, ultimately, I didn’t feel that I could make or wanted to make the kind of commitment that is necessary to returning to coaching. I’m at a stage in my life where I don’t feel the need to get back in the hectic, day-to-day grind that the NBA schedule demands.”

With Daly taking himself out of the running, Knicks general manager Ernie Grunfeld is expected to focus on former Golden State and Milwaukee coach Don Nelson, with whom he has already met, and ex-Boston coach Chris Ford.