Scott Skiles has informed the Orlando Magic and the NBA that he has resigned as Head Coach, effective immediately. Skiles was hired just last year for the Magic and now makes this statement this morning to clarify the decision (Via 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,” said Skiles. “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 news comes as a bit of a shocker for a lot of fans, analysts, and even Magic players such as Evan Fournier, who will be a free agent this summer. Fournier took to Twitter to say this:
WHAT THE FUCK
— Evan Fournier (@EvanFourmizz) May 12, 2016
Could it be about Scott Skiles and his departure from an improving Orlando Magic squad? Obviously there was some tension building up in Skiles that made his randomly decide to resign, so what was it exactly? According to Joshua Robbins of the Orlando Sentinel:
Scott Skiles had been unhappy for a few months now.
— Josh Robbins (@JoshuaBRobbins) May 12, 2016
There was certainly a disconnect between Scott Skiles & GM Rob Hennigan. A few disagreements on personnel & on the mindset of the team.
— Josh Robbins (@JoshuaBRobbins) May 12, 2016
Certainly, one of the disagreements between Hennigan and Skiles was Skiles’ opinion on the Magic’s point guard situation.
— Josh Robbins (@JoshuaBRobbins) May 12, 2016
So obviously the issues with management and the overall direction of the team is what caused Skiles to leave. Scott Skiles, who played for the Magic, and had his most successful time as a player there, even setting the record for most assists in a game (30) did not have the same outcome as a coach. Skiles led the Magic to another unsuccessful season, finishing 11th in the Eastern Conference going 35-47 in the season. The young core of Oladipo, Fournier, Payton, Nikola Vucevic and dunk-contest champion Aaron Gordon, have a bright future ahead of them if they get the right pieces put around them and continue to develop. Despite this, Scott Skiles had made his decision to leave months ago, supposedly backtracking and saying he made a mistake by taking the job. According to Justin Termine host of NBA Today on SiriusXMNba:
My sources tell me Skiles told Hennigan he made mistake taking job in mid-Jan, before backtracking & telling him it was momentary insanity.
— Justin Termine (@TermineRadio) May 12, 2016
Hennigan was pissed at Skiles because he harassed the DeVos family w calls & texts to land job, then said in mid-Jan he no longer wanted it.
— Justin Termine (@TermineRadio) May 12, 2016
Sounds like there were some seriously indecisive issues with Scott Skiles that just couldn’t be fixed and now the Orlando Magic will look to find themselves another coach. Although this isn’t the greatest of news, the Magic have entered the coaching free agent market at a time where there is an abundance of coaches to take control of this young and talented Magic team. Could we be seeing one of the big time coaches like Mark Jackson, Vinny Del Negro, and Frank Vogel head to Orlando? We’ll find out in the days to come.
