
The Orlando Magic coaching search is moving quickly, it seems with Adrian Wojnarowski of the Vertical reporting that the team has interviewed both Frank Vogel and Adrian Griffin, their two top targets. The Magic found a surprising vacancy at the head coach position when Scott Skiles stepped down after just one year, leading to the two parties signing a non-compete agreement for caution.
Griffin was the top assistant on Skiles’ staff and it appears that the players on the team like and respect him. He is a bit of an unknown but he has also worked under Tom Thibodeau in Chicago and is an experienced coach in the assistant ranks.
Vogel is also a surprisingly available coach after his contract was not renewed by the Indiana Pacers. His teams have always been great defensively and he may be able to help them take the next step forward and contend for the playoffs as early as next season.
Most importantly, it appears that Vogel very much wants the job. He has also met with the New York Knicks and the Memphis Grizzlies, but Woj reports that he has “serious interest” in the job. Similarly, Sportando reports that Vogel “is focused on becoming the next head coach of the Orlando Magic.”
It seems all but given that Vogel will become the next head coach of the Magic unless the team values continuity a lot more than they should. Frank Vogel could be the coach to take a young, talented core to the next level and if he is as interested as is being reported, the Magic would be wise to pounce and hire him immediately.