Rockets Coaching Tracker: Rockets To Hold Second Interview with Ime Udoka And Frank Vogel
HOUSTON — The Houston Rockets will embark on their 16th coach in franchise history after parting ways with Stephen Silas on April 10.
General manager Rafael Stone said the Rockets would interview a wide cast of candidates and believes Houston is an attractive destination due to its young corps and cap space entering the 2023 off-season.
"We want someone who has a real vision for how to implement our young guys, how to incorporate some veterans," Stone said. "I think we’re looking for somebody who has kind of a dynamic presence and vision. They’re obviously going to have a new voice, and we want that voice to resonate with our group."
APRIL 23 ROCKETS TO SCHEDULE SECOND INTERVIEW UDOKA AND VOGEL:
The Rockets are still hosting first-time interviews with candidates for their vacant head coaching position. But according to ESPN, the Rockets will schedule second interviews with Ime Udoka and Frank Vogel.
Vogel, who was the first of six candidates interviewed, is the front-runner to take the helm as Houston's 16th coach in franchise history.
APRIL 20 ROCKETS TO INTERVIEW SAM CASSELL:
As first reported by The Athletic, the Rockets will interview longtime assistant coach Sam Cassell for their head coaching job on Sunday.
After playing 16 seasons, Cassell began his coaching career as an assistant with the Washington Wizards in 2009. He joined Doc Rivers' coaching staff in 2014 and has been the lead assistant under the future Hall-of-Famer with stops with the Los Angeles Clippers and Philadelphia 76ers.
Cassell began his NBA career as a first-round pick of the Rockets in 1993. He played three seasons in Houston and helped the franchise win back-to-back titles in 1994 and 1995.
APRIL 19 MARC STEIN REPORTS "PESSIMISM" SURROUNDING NICK NURSE TO HOUSTON:
Nick Nurse has been the top candidate to take the helm as coach of the Rockets since March. But according to The Stein Line, the latest rumors may have jeopardized Nurse's reunion with the Rockets.
"What I did pick up over the weekend, interestingly, was the first whiff of pessimism I’ve heard regarding Houston’s chances of hiring Nurse even in the event that he and the Raptors part ways," Stein said. "Beyond the possibility that he stays in Toronto, perhaps Nurse has other options that are not plainly apparent."
APRIL 18 ROCKETS SET INTERVIEW WITH IME UDOKA:
According to The Athletic, the Rockets will interview former Celtics' coach Ime Udoka on Wednesday. Udoka spent one season at the helm in Boston, where he helped the Celtics reach the 2022 NBA Finals.
He was suspended by the Celtics prior to the 2022-23 season for violations of team policies.
APRIL 17 ROCKETS INTERVIEWED HORNETS FORMER COACH JAMES BORREGO:
According to Sports Radio 610, the Rockets interviewed former Charlotte Hornets coach James Borrego on Monday. Borrego served as head coach from 2018 to 2022. He won 148 games out of a possible 331 before his jettison from Charlotte in April 2022.
APRIL 15 ROCKETS INTERVIEWED SUNS' ASSISTANT COACH KEVIN YOUNG:
According to The Athletic, the Rockets interviewed Suns' assistant coach Kevin Young for their vacant head coaching job on Friday. Young has been a part of the Suns' coaching staff since 2017, where he has helped develop the likes of Devin Booker and Deandre Ayton.
APRIL 14 ROCKETS GRANTED PERMISSION TO INTERVIEW SAM CASSELL:
According to the Houston Chronicle, the Philadelphia 76ers permitted the Rockets to interview assistant coach Sam Cassell.
After retiring from the NBA as a player, Cassell has been an assistant for the Washington Wizards, Los Angeles Clippers and 76ers. The latter two have been under head coach Doc Rivers.
APRIL 12 ROCKETS INTERVIEWED COACHING CANDIDATE FRANK VOGEL:
The Rockets completed the first interview for their head coaching vacancy. As first reported by The Athletic, Houston interviewed Frank Vogel on Wednesday.
Vogel's last coaching stop came in 2019 with the Los Angeles Lakers. He went 127-98 during his three-year stint, which included leading the Lakers to the 2019-20 NBA championship.
APRIL 11 ROCKETS REQUEST PERMISSION TO INTERVIEW KENNY ATKINSON:
The Rockets have requested permission to interview Golden State Warriors' associate head coach Kenny Atkinson, as first reported by ESPN.
Since beginning his career in 2008, Atkinson's lone head coaching opportunity came with the Brooklyn Nets from 2016-2020. He went 118-190 during his four-year stint, including one postseason appearance in 2019.
Atkinson has spent most of his coaching career as an assistant with the New York Knicks (2009-2012), Atlanta Hawks (2013-2016), Los Angeles Clippers (2020-21) and Warriors (2021-present).
APRIL 11 ROCKETS TARGETING SEVERAL COACHING CANDIDATES:
Following the departure of Silas, The Athletic reported that Houston is targeting the following candidates: Kenny Atkinson, Scott Brooks, Nick Nurse, Ime Udoka and Frank Vogel.
APRIL 10 ROCKETS OFFICIALLY PART WAYS WITH STEPHEN SILAS:
The Rockets officially parted ways with coach Stephen Silas; the team announced Monday morning.
The Rockets have gone through a youth movement since losing a pair of future Hall-of-Famers. And following the end of the 2022-23 campaign, Silas won 59 out of 236 games.
"On behalf of the Fertitta family and the entire Rockets organization, I would like to thank Stephen for his contributions to the team and the Houston community over the past three seasons," general manager Rafael Stone said.
You can follow Coty M. Davis on Twitter at @CotyDavis_24
Want the latest in news and insider information on the Houston Rockets? Click here
Follow Inside the Rockets on Facebook here
Follow Inside the Rockets on Twitter @InsideRocketsFN
Want even more Houston Rockets news? Check out the SI.com team page here
