Ownership has not met on Jacque Vaughn’s future
An important step in naming a new head coach is getting the boss’ approval. The Orlando Sentinel reports ownership has not met on Jacque Vaughn‘s future.
The rumors have flown out of Amway Center throughout the week as the end for Jacque Vaughn appears to be drawing nearer.
That is what fan reaction and anonymously sourced reports would tell you.
The facts remain, however. Jacque Vaughn is still the Magic’s head coach. He made the trip with the team to Oklahoma City and will in all likelihood coach that game.
It also remains that to make a major decision like changing the coach, you need the sign-off of several higher ups. Vaughn said before Saturday’s game that he had not spoken with general manager Rob Hennigan on the team’s off day Friday. He said before Saturday’s game he was not sure if Hennigan would be in town to talk to him beforehand.
It would be hard to see the team firing Vaughn without some type of face-to-face.
But there still needs to be workings behind the scenes to make a final decision. Even if Hennigan wants to make the move immediately, he still needs the go-ahead from those above him.
According to Josh Robbins of the Orlando Sentinel, that conversation has not happened yet.
"Before tipoff, Magic chairman Dan DeVos told the Orlando Sentinel that no potential move of any kind has been brought to his family for review. Usually, a conference call is held for a large contingent of the DeVos family when the franchise is about to make a big decision.A coaching change would qualify as a big decision."
Owner Rich DeVos attended Thursday’s game against Milwaukee as well. It is plausible that some discussions were had. Magic CEO Alex Martins attends just about every game as well.
A final decision just may be a matter of getting everyone together and hammering out the pros and cons of the decision and deciding how to move forward. There are plenty of those on each side at this point — yes, there are some reasons to keep Vaughn, such as the fact there really are no other options for change on the coaching staff.
There is no indication at this point when or if that meeting would occur. But it is a step that has to happen before a decision is made moving forward.
Live Feed
Through the Phog
With Vaughn currently on the road with the Magic, it seems unlikely the team would fire him before Wednesday’s game against the Spurs. The team would return home after that trip and have an off day Thursday before playing the Lakers at home on Friday. The next time the Magic have multiple days off — i.e. a chance for a practice with the interim coach — comes at the All-Star Break in two weeks.
It is very possible Vaughn lasts until then when the team can regroup.
No individual game is going to “clinch” a decision regarding Vaughn. The whispers though will only grow louder until something is done, now that the story has leaked out.