Report: Orlando Magic Hire Frank Vogel As Head Coach

Former Indiana Pacers coach Frank Vogel has agreed to a deal with the Orlando Magic to become the team’s new head coach, according to Josh Robbins of the Orlando Sentinel. 

Report: Orlando Magic Hire Frank Vogel As Head Coach

Vogel, 42, will replace Scott Skiles, who unexpectedly resigned after just one year in Orlando. The Magic failed to reach the playoffs this year.

Team officials reportedly accelerated their search because Vogel had already received interest from both the Memphis Grizzlies and Houston Rockets. The New York Knicks were also interested in Vogel but ended up hiring Jeff Hornacek instead.

Vogel’s deal with Orlando is for four years and worth $22 million, according to a TNT report later confirmed by ESPN. He is known as a defensively-inclined coach, and the Magic have a lot to improve on in that respect.

“Sort of the fulcrum of what we’re looking for,” Magic general manager Rob Hennigan said earlier this month “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 also helped develop Paul George into one of the best players in the league, so Orlando’s front office is hoping he will be able to do the same with the young core on its team.

Vogel coached the Pacers for six years and compiled a .580 record (250-181 regular-season record and a 31-30 playoff record). He led Indiana to the playoffs only in the 2015-2016 season, including two conference finals appearances. The Pacers lost to the Raptors in Game 7 of the first round this season. However, he did not have his contract renewed by team owner Larry Bird. He was long considered the leading candidate to secure the job in Orlando.

PHOTO: TORONTO, ON – APRIL 26: Head Coach Frank Vogel of the Indiana Pacers shouts to an official in the first half of Game Five of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals against the Toronto Raptors during the 2016 NBA Playoffs at the Air Canada Centre on April 26, 2016 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.