Skiles tells Magic he's stepping down as coach
After only one season, Scott Skiles is leaving the Orlando Magic.
“After much thought and careful consideration, I and I alone, have come to the conclusion that I am not the right head coach for this team,” Skiles said in a statement released by the team. “Therefore, effective immediately, I resign my position as head coach of the Orlando Magic. I realize this type of decision can cause much speculation. The reality though is in the first sentence. It is simple and true. Any other rumors are pure conjecture.”
“I sincerely apologize for any unintended consequences that may adversely affect anyone associated with this decision,” Skiles continued. “The Magic are a world-class organization that employs world-class people. I wish them nothing but great success. I will always be thankful, especially to the DeVos family, for the opportunity.”
The 52-year-old Skiles has also coached the Milwaukee Bucks, Chicago Bulls and Phoenix Suns in a 14-year career.
Skiles was a member of the Magic’s inaugural team in 1989-90 and played five seasons in Orlando as part of his 10-year playing career. Skiles had always been a fan favorite in Orlando. He still holds the NBA record for assists in a game with 30, set Dec. 30, 1990 against Denver.
The Magic went 35-47 this season and missed the playoffs for the fourth straight season. They had five players on the roster who were either rookies or in their second season.
The Magic went 9-6 during November, marking their first winning month since March 2012, then an Eastern Conference-best 10-5 during December. Skiles was named the NBA’s Eastern Conference Coach of the Month for December 2015, marking the fourth time he has won the monthly honor (Jan. 2005, Apr. 2006, Feb. 2010). After a 19-13 start to this season, the Magic lost 34 of their final 50 games and missed the playoffs.
In announcing Skiles’ decision, the Magic said that their search for a new coach will start immediately.
“While we understand it was a challenging season, we reluctantly have accepted Scott’s resignation,” Magic general manager Rob Hennigan. “We appreciate Scott instilling a culture of accountability and certainly wish him and his family well.”
Known for his intensity on the bench, Skiles has a reputation for improving each of the team’s he has taken over. The Magic won 10 more games last season than the one before. The 2008-09 Bucks won eight more games than the previous season.
He led the Bulls to the playoffs in his first full season in 2004-05. His best season came with the Suns in 2000-01, again his first full season as coach, when they went 51-31.
But his no-nonsense approach has also led to speculation that his style doesn’t lend itself to a long tenure with one team in today’s NBA. Before taking over the Magic, Skiles had said that he analyzed his approach and would do some things differently. He also said that he demanded that players be on time, play hard and care about winning and that he wasn’t afraid to butt heads with those who wouldn’t do that.
Skiles’ contract with Orlando was set to run through the 2017-18 season with a team option for 2018-19.
A news conference is scheduled for later Thursday in Orlando to discuss the move and what the Magic will do next.
Orlando’s next coach will be the team’s fourth in the span of four years. Stan Van Gundy was fired in 2012, and he’s been followed by Jacque Vaughn, James Borrego on an interim basis to end the 2014-15 season, and then Skiles this season.
Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.
