Orlando Magic agree in principle to hire Frank Vogel

The Orlando Magic have agreed in principle to a contract with former Indiana Pacers coach Frank Vogel to be the team’s next head coach.

The Orlando Magic have agreed in principle to a contract with former Indiana Pacers coach Frank Vogel, Josh Robbins of the Orlando Sentinel reports.

The Magic were thrown surprisingly into the coaching pool after last week’s sudden resignation of Scott Skiles as the head coach. It felt like a low moment for the franchise and left a lot of questions about the Magic’s process and even their roster.

Orlando Magic general manager Rob Hennigan though was certainly resolute in his faith and moved quickly to get perhaps the best coach available on the market.

Vogel also interviewed with the New York Knicks and Memphis Grizzlies. Many believed the Grizzlies had him as their top target. The Magic were behind for sure.

But Orlando has plenty to offer. The team has a young roster that just improved by 10 wins last season and plenty of defensive potential. This is a group that still has a high ceiling but perhaps needs some structure and veteran guidance to take the next step.

Vogel too checks a lot of the boxes Rob Hennigan sought from a coach that he outlined last week after Skiles’ resignation.

“We want someone who will continue to push us forward; place an emphasis on the defensive end of the floor; figure out a way to continue developing our players; and, as we continue to add pieces, assemble a highly competitive team,” Hennigan said.

Vogel’s defensive teams have always been very strong.

In his five full seasons, the Pacers were ninth (103.1 defensive rating), first (99.8 defensive rating), first (99.3 defensive rating), seventh (103.2 defensive rating) and eighth (100.5 defensive rating) in defensive rating. Those last two years, the Pacers failed to make the Playoffs with the George injury and changed their roster almost completely.

Vogel obviously has a ton of experience despite being just 41 years old, guiding the Pacers to those deep playoff runs. He also helped oversee the development of those teams — getting the most out of Hibbert and Lance Stephenson — and growing Paul George.

In six seasons with the Indiana Pacers, Vogel’s teams went 250-181. He reached the conference finals twice with the Indiana Pacers, pushing the Miami Heat in both series before the Heat went on to win the title.

The Pacers though struggled after Paul George broke his leg during a U.S. Basketball scrimmage. That caused him to miss the majority of the 2015 season. The Pacers then changed their roster, losing David West and Roy Hibbert.

Despite all that, and now with a healthy George, the Pacers made the Playoffs as the seventh seed, falling to the Toronto Raptors in seven games. Many applauded the job Vogel did in getting that team to the Playoffs.

The Pacers still let him go, looking for a new voice.

Vogel immediately became the biggest name on the coaching market. And the Magic had to move quickly as they entered the market late.

This is a move that certainly restores some confidence in the Magic and their future. Vogel is that kind of a coach.

There are questions that remain for sure. The Pacers’ offense was never stellar under Vogel — they finished 25th in offensive rating last year after being 23rd in 2015 and 23rd in 2014. Despite all this, the Pacers were more than competitive in the Eastern Conference. His defensive schemes and mentality give his teams a chance.

That is what the Magic are looking for as they try to build off what was so successful in Scott Skiles’ lone year. They will want a coach that maintains the culture of accountability while having a softer hand, perhaps, with player development.

Next: Orlando Magic following Oklahoma City model

This seems to be a very good fit for the Magic and what they are looking to build in 2017.