Report: Woodson wants to know status before meeting

New York Knicks coach Mike Woodson does not want to meet face-to-face with new team president Phil Jackson until he is informed whether or not he will be retained for next season, ESPN reported Friday.

“He just wants to know one way or the other,” ESPN’s source said.

Woodson reportedly would prefer that Jackson contact his agent if he is going to be fired.

The New York Daily News reported Thursday night that Jackson and Woodson were scheduled to talk over the phone Friday to plan a meeting or work out the terms of Woodson’s departure. The Daily News also reported that Woodson told the team’s management that he does not see a reason to meet with Jackson if he is going to be fired.

Jackson said at his introductory press conference in March, after meeting with Woodson, that he would be considered for the job next season.

Woodson said Wednesday, as a disappointing regular season came to a close, that he would like to return. Woodson has one year remaining on his contract worth $3.3 million.

Reports linked former Chicago Bulls guard Steve Kerr, an NBA analyst for Turner Sports, and others with ties to Jackson as possible replacements for Woodson, who replaced coach Mike D’Antoni in an interim role in 2012 and guided the team to the playoffs last season.

Woodson, who would not comment Wednesday on any schedule for an exit interview or meeting with Jackson, believes he should still be the man for the job.

“I said this couple of weeks ago, I’m the only guy for this job and I don’t say that in a braggadocio way,” he said. “I’ve always said that. I feel good about what I do as a coach. I know the system works.”

The Knicks finished the season 37-45 and out of the Eastern Conference playoffs.