Houston, TX (My Sportsbook) - Jeff Van Gundy was officially introduced as the new head coach of the Houston Rockets on Wednesday.

"Our goal was to bring in a championship-caliber coach and we have done that," team owner Leslie Alexander said. "Jeff is a proven winner and I believe he is the right person to get our franchise back in the playoffs. We were looking for a coach who was the right fit for the organization."

Van Gundy replaces 54-year-old Rudy Tomjanovich, who stepped down on May 23 after 11 1/2 seasons as coach of the Rockets. Tomjanovich posted an overall record of 503-397, including a 43-39 mark during the 2002-03 campaign.

"This is a very exciting time for my family and I," Van Gundy said. "I am looking forward to working with the talented group of players that [Alexander], Carroll Dawson and Rudy Tomjanovich have assembled. It was important for me to join an organization that was committed to winning a championship. The Rockets have a long history as one of the league's best organizations."

Formerly a head coach in New York, Van Gundy is the third-winningest coach in Knicks history, posting a 248-172 career record with the team and taking the Knicks to the playoffs in each of his first six seasons. During the lockout- shortened 1998-99 season, the Knicks were Eastern Conference champions despite being seeded eighth in the playoffs. They eventually fell to the San Antonio Spurs in the NBA Finals.

In the postseason, Van Gundy posted a 37-32 record with the Knicks.