Magic hire Frank Vogel as head coach
The Orlando Magic have hired Frank Vogel as their head coach, the team announced on Friday.
Vogel interviewed for the position earlier this week. The Magic were looking for a new coach after the abrupt resignation of Scott Skiles on May 12.
Vogel was one of the most sought-after coaches on the market after a successful stint with the Indiana Pacers. He had also interviewed for the New York Knicks vacancy earlier this week.
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The new Orlando coach is excited to take over a much improved team that won 10 more games than the previous season. Orlando finished 35–47, led by young players Elfrid Payton, Victor Oladipo, Aaron Gordon and Mario Hezonja.
“That’s what this group is about and a big part of what attracted me to this job is the feeling that this group is ready,” Vogel told the team’s website. “It’s not just the talent, but it’s the stages of their careers that the core is in. This group is ready to make that next jump.”
Vogel was not re-signed by the Pacers after they lost in the first round of the NBA playoffs. He led Indiana to a playoff berth in five of his six seasons at the helm, including back-to-back conference finals appearances in 2013–14.
The Magic were a much improved team in 2015–16, winning 10 more games than the previous season.
Vogel is 250–181 in his career, with a 61–31 record in postseason play.
