FILE - In this Nov. 9, 2009, file photo, Florida International coach Isiah Thomas directs his team during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game against North Carolina in Chapel Hill, N.C. Thomas tells the story like this: Given the chance to leave Florida International and take a consulting job with the New York Knicks this summer, he made the decision to stay with the Panthers. Hours later, in New York, the story differs a bit: Thomas still wants the Knicks job. If this was happening in the offseason, that's one thing. But this latest twist to the many sagas of Thomas came just last week, with his FIU team days away from opening its second season under the Hall of Fame player. (AP Photo/Gerry Broome, File)