The Knicks have a new coach who arrives with a long history in the business, a career of highs and lows, and metric tons of pressure to win immediately.

Mike Brown, who emerged within the past week as the leading candidate, was stamped as Tom Thibodeau’s replacement after a meeting with James Dolan, ending a monthlong search with more plot twists than a season of “Breaking Bad.”

As a 55-year-old and a four-time fired head coach, Brown represents neither the most obvious nor most exciting choice. If the Knicks struggle, the heat will fall quickly on a front office that no longer has Thibodeau as a shield. But Brown is also a safe pick with 758 regular-season games under his belt, a .599 winning percentage and two Coach of the Year awards.

More than anything, Brown brings experience to almost every NBA circumstance.

He worked with most of the all-time greats of a generation, serving as either the head or assistant coach on rosters with Tim Duncan, Stephen Curry, LeBron James, Kobe Bryant and Kevin Durant.

Brown bloomed from the Gregg Popovich tree in San Antonio, winning titles as an assistant with the Spurs and then under another Pop disciple, Steve Kerr, in Golden State. As a head coach, Brown was less successful in the playoffs. His only Finals appearance was nearly 20 years ago with the Cavs, when James carried an overmatched ragtag group into a 2007 series against the Spurs.

Brown flamed out quickly in subsequent stops, notably lasting only 71 games with the Lakers as Phil Jackson’s replacement. More recently, Brown guided the Kings to their first playoff appearance in 18 years. He cultivated a high-octane offense behind De’Aaron Fox and Domantas Sabonis, demonstrating his versatility as a coach after being labeled defensive-minded earlier in his career. But Brown was fired less than two years later — the fourth time he was canned as a head coach.

It’s unclear who the Knicks will tap for Brown’s staff of assistants, but Rick Brunson undoubtedly will return on the bench. Other assistants from last season are under contract and, according to sources, will be considered by Brown. James Borrego is being targeted as the associate head coach, according to a source, but requires permission to get out of his contract with the Pelicans.

The Pelicans would be justified in rejecting Borrego’s request because a potential move to the Knicks is technically lateral, even if it’s for more money. Generally, teams grant permission to get out of a contract if the next job being offered is a promotion. Borrego is already the associate head coach of the Pelicans.

For Brown, the Knicks gig brings opportunity for legendary status. The franchise is enduring a drought of 52 years without a title, but enters next season with legitimate Finals aspirations. Because Jayson Tatum and Tyrese Haliburton are recovering from Achilles surgeries, the Knicks are arguably the early favorites to win the East, alongside the Cavaliers.

Last season, the Knicks surpassed expectations by beating the Celtics and advancing to their first conference finals in 25 years.

Jalen Brunson continued his ascension to superstardom. But the front office and ownership still relieved Thibodeau of his job, a shocking move considering his success and a three-year extension approaching $40 million that hadn’t even started yet.

In a new coach, the Knicks are prioritizing some of the issues that led to Thibodeau’s dismissal — they are emphasizing player development, expanding the rotation, empowering the staff, collaborating with the front office and assigning roles to assistants like defensive and offensive coordinators.

Thibodeau didn’t embrace those instructions from the front office and ownership but did plenty of winning.

He finished fourth on the franchise’s all-time list with 226 regular-season wins, behind only Red Holzman, Joe Lapchick and Jeff Van Gundy.

His five seasons at the helm were the most since Van Gundy.

His four playoff series victories were more than the 12 previous Knicks coaches combined.

So Brown, who hasn’t won a playoff series as a head coach since 2012, is filling big shoes.

And through no fault of his own, the hiring feels like a consolation prize.

The Knicks started their search with rejected attempts to attract head coaches under contract, with denials from the teams employing Jason Kidd, Ime Udoka, Chris Finch, Billy Donovan and Quin Snyder. They redirected the search toward Brown and Taylor Jenkins, who, according to sources, fell behind after projecting less enthusiasm for the job.

Brown, in some ways, became the fallback option. And it won’t matter if the Knicks live up to their lofty expectations.