Magic GM says Vogel among coaching candidates
Magic general manager Rob Hennigan told the Orlando Sentinel on Friday that Frank Vogel will be included in the “wide net” cast for candidates as the team looks to fill its head-coaching vacancy.
Scott Skiles resigned Wednesday after just one season as the Magic’s coach.
The Indiana Pacers announced earlier this month that they would not renew Vogel’s contract.
Hennigan told the Sentinel that the Magic have not put together an exhaustive list of candidates but that he plans to contact Vogel.
Defense will be a priority as the Magic evaluate candidates, but NBA coaching experience is not a requirement, Hennigan said.
“Sort of the fulcrum of what we’re looking for is someone who puts an emphasis on the defensive end of the floor, someone who puts an emphasis on player development and also someone who puts an emphasis on building lasting connections with the players on our roster,” he told the Sentinel.
Hennigan said it’s important for him to get to know the candidates personally and make sure that “each candidate understands what we’re about as an organization and what our values are and what our vision is. And then, of course, making sure we’re aligned philosophically as it relates to style of play and the type of character we want our team to exude on a daily basis.”
The New York Knicks previously reached out to Vogel’s agents to gauge his interest in the club’s coaching vacancy, league sources confirmed to ESPN.
The Houston Rockets and Memphis Grizzlies also are searching for coaches.
In six seasons as Pacers coach, Vogel had a 250-181 regular-season record and a 31-30 playoff record, losing in Game 7 of the first round to Toronto this season.
