MIAMI — Isiah Thomas is on the verge of starting his coaching career over at Florida International.

The former New York Knicks coach is deliberating whether to take over FIU's basketball program, a person with knowledge of the school's search told The Associated Press on Monday night.

The person, speaking on condition of anonymity because university officials have not authorized anyone to reveal search details, said FIU was "very hopeful" that a deal could be closed with Thomas on Tuesday morning. He would replace Sergio Rouco, who was ousted after five consecutive losing seasons.

If Thomas accepts, he would be introduced in Miami on Wednesday.

Thomas became the Knicks' president in 2003, their coach in 2006 and was fired in 2008 after, among other things, a sexual harassment lawsuit and almost never-ending chants from fans who wanted him gone. He remains under contract with the Knicks, but has permission to seek work elsewhere.

Knicks president Donnie Walsh was aware Monday night of FIU's interest in hiring Thomas, but the team couldn't specifically say what the status of the contract talks were.

Among the other candidates on FIU's list: Former Miami Heat players Ed Pinckney and Tim Hardaway, both of whom continue to have strong ties to South Florida. Pinckney is an assistant coach with the Minnesota Timberwolves but still maintains a residence in the Miami area; Hardaway briefly coached the now-defunct Florida Pit Bulls of the American Basketball Association.

But almost as soon as Rouco's firing — a "reassignment," the school called it, since he remains under contract — the buzz centered around Thomas.

In recent years, the Golden Panthers lured Mario Cristobal away from Miami to take over their football program, landed noted college baseball recruiter Turtle Thomas as that program's coach, plus opened an on-campus football stadium.

And now could be the biggest get yet for FIU: Thomas, who helped the Detroit Pistons win a pair of NBA championships as a point guard, then had success as coach of the Indiana Pacers before things unraveled for him with the Knicks.