Report: Pelicans interview Jeff Van Gundy for head coach vacancy

The New Orleans Pelicans interviewed Jeff Van Gundy for their vacant head coaching position on Tuesday, Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo Sports reports.

The New Orleans Pelicans interviewed Jeff Van Gundy for their vacant head coaching position on Tuesday, Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo Sports reports. 

The meeting was the first face-to-face encounter between the two sides, though Van Gundy and the Pelicans had previously spoken over the phone, Wojnarowski reports. 

The Pelicans fired coach Monty Williams following the team's elimination from the 2015 postseason. New Orleans finished 45-37 and was swept by the Golden State Warriors in the first round. 

Van Gundy, currently an ESPN NBA analyst, last coached in 2007 with the Houston Rockets. He coached the Knicks from 1995-2002 before leaving the team, and he joined the Rockets ahead of the 2003-04 season. 

• GOLLIVER: Cavs' sweep underscores need for playoff reform

In 11 total seasons as Knicks and Rockets coach, Van Gundy took his teams to the playoffs nine times, including an NBA Finals berth in 1998-99 with New York. 

The Pelicans have also spoken with Warriors assistant coach Alvin Gentry about the vacancy, Wojnarowski reports. 

- Stanley Kay