Orlando Magic name Scott Skiles as head coach
The Orlando Magic hired Scott Skiles as their head coach, General Manager Rob Hennigan announced Friday.
Skiles, 51, brings a 443–433 record over 13 NBA seasons with the Milwaukee Bucks, Chicago Bulls and Phoenix Suns. He last coached in 2012–2013, the last of his five seasons with the Bucks.
“Scott (Skiles) clearly distinguished himself as a tremendous fit,” said Hennigan. “Our young roster will benefit greatly from Scott’s extensive head coaching experience and commitment to teaching smart, physical, unselfish basketball. We believe in Scott’s ability to establish a culture of winning habits and accountability that will help guide our team in a positive direction.”
The Magic also met with Los Angeles Clippers assistant Mike Woodson over the weekend before "turning full attention" back to Skiles, reports Yahoo Sports’ Adrian Wojnarowski. Wojnarowski reported Friday that Skiles and Orlando agreed to a four-year contract.
• MANNIX: Bulls show true colors in classless dismissal of Tom Thibodeau
“As we began our search, our internal discussions centered on finding a head coach with a solid resume of NBA head coaching experience, great leadership qualities, a motivating communication style, and someone with a strong strategic acumen,” said Orlando Magic CEO Alex Martins. “We feel Scott (Skiles) brings a balanced approach in all those qualities and we look forward, with great confidence, to him leading our young men in helping us reach our collective goal of sustainable success.”
Orlando finished the season 25–57, missing the playoff for the third straight season. Head coach Jacque Vaughn was fired in February with the team at 15–37 and replaced by assistant James Borrego on an interim basis. Vaughn had been the Magic’s coach since July 2012 and went 58–158 over his two-plus seasons in Orlando.
• MORE NBA: Playoff reform needed | Finals schedule
Before becoming a coach, Skiles spent five of his 10 seasons as an NBA player with the Magic. Over 384 games with Orlando, Skiles, a point guard, averaged 12.9 points and 7.2 assists.
- Mike Fiammetta and Jeremy Woo
