A week out from Scott Skiles‘ sudden resignation, it appears the Orlando Magic have tabbed Frank Vogel as their top candidate to replace him.
The Orlando Magic have interviewed a few candidates for the open head coaching position since Scott Skiles stepped down last week. They appear to be zeroing in on one in particular.
Although no clear cut front-runner for the vacant position was formally announced by the team, a style general manager Rob Hennigan is known for, recent reports named current associate head coach Adrian Griffin and former Indiana Pacers head coach, Frank Vogel, as the leading candidates to land the head coaching job.
According to reports from Bright House Sports Network, Frank Vogel is the man the Orlando Magic want and that negotiations will be ongoing in the next few days to see if a deal can be reached between the two sides.
Source: Not a done deal by any means between #Magic & #Vogel, but team hopes to announce it in the next couple days https://t.co/SKrEL09q2R
— Spectrum Sports 360 (@SpecSports360) May 18, 2016
"Now, it appears he is the team’s first choice to fill their open position and are discussing contract terms, sources tell BHSN. If a deal is reached, an announcement could come within a few days.However, it’s not a done deal, as there are other NBA head coaching positions open. One in particular is the Memphis Grizzlies, where Vogel is also reported as a top choice."
The Orlando Magic have made it clear that whoever is tagged to become the next head coach of the team must continue to establish a defensive identity as that will be the focal point of the selection.
But a coach like Frank Vogel will not come at a cheap price. Rumors suggest the coach could command a contract near the $30 million range.
Vogel recently met with the Orlando Magic outside of Central Florida on Monday night regarding his fit with the ball club. It now appears the Magic are trying to push forward and finish a contract with him.
If it does not work out with Vogel, the Magic are largely expected to pursue current assistant coach Adrian Griffin, who met with the team Tuesday in New York. There are whispers the Magic would move quickly to hire him should Vogel choose to go elsewhere.
It was also largely believed the Magic might pursue former Phoenix Suns coach Jeff Hornacek. That option though is no longer on the table, and it is not clear if the Magic ever met with Hornacek.
Hornacek recently agreed to join the New York Knicks, according to Howard Beck of the New York Times.
Breaking: Knicks will hire Jeff Hornacek as head coach, per NBA source.
— Howard Beck (@HowardBeck) May 18, 2016
That is one less coaching option the Orlando Magic have, but it is also one less team competing for the Magic’s apparent top target. Vogel had previously interviewed with the Knicks. He has also interviewed with the Memphis Grizzlies, who also view him as a top target.
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It has now been a week since Scott Skiles informed the Magic of his intention to resign. And it already seems like the Magic have zeroed in on their preferred candidates.