“We need to get better,” Orlando Magic signal change by dismissing Frank Vogel

The Orlando Magic changed coaches, firing Frank Vogel. For president of basketball operations Jeff Weltman, it is the first of many changes to come.

When president of basketball operations Jeff Weltman stated what he hoped to get out of the season back on media day in October, he did not want to set expectations. Really no one did. They did not talk about playoffs or putting a number of wins on the season.

This was a season to evaluate basketball operations from top to bottom. He would look at every aspect of the team. There was no time for rash decisions, it seemed. He would take the patient approach.

But as the Orlando Magic’s injury-riddled 25-57 season unfurled, it became clear the team needed to make some changes. Injuries made it difficult to evaluate things fully. But the information was abundantly clear too. The Magic needed change.

And that change began Thursday, the day after the season ended, with the dismissal of coach Frank Vogel.

"“There’s no reduced answer that I can give you,” Weltman said of his decision to fire Vogel. “This was a process that took the whole year to evaluate. As we factor in all the things that we’re looking at as an organization, where we are on our path and where we want to go, we collaborated and felt this was the direction we needed to go in.”"

There was a whiff of change in the organization this season. That happens whenever new management takes over. It seemed a slow burn as the new management tried to get a better handle on what it had and how best to move on.

It is a prelude to the team moving in a completely new direction with its roster.

Weltman was not ready to go into specifics for the summer, but it was also clear the team was moving in a new direction. And the changes are just beginning.

"“We’re not good enough,” Weltman said. “We have a lot of areas to improve upon. This summer will be directed toward improving ourselves organizationally from every corner off the court and that will find its way on the court. I do think we have some good young players on our team. I think it’s incumbent upon us to develop those guys. We need to add talent. We’re excited about our draft pick. We have to get that right. We just need to keep building this at the right pace.”"

Maybe the Magic did not get a complete look at their team. They lost more than 220 games to injury last season. But even through adversity and through the struggles the team had, Weltman said he learned something. The team still has to put a lot together.

Vogel had a tough hand to play. But it was one that showed management enough to make a move.

But Weltman would not argue with the notion that the team will not get better unless the roster improves. As he said, the team has to get better.

The team’s record improvement will be determined on developing players, “baking in” fit and getting guys to believe and finding guys who will do the heavy lifting of transitioning from rebuilding to winning.

The Magic know how difficult that part can be. They have been working on it for the better part of five years.

It is not clear why Vogel was not the guy to do that.

Weltman continued to talk highly of Vogel and every player seemed disappointed with the move. Despite the team’s struggles this year, players lauded Vogel for keeping the team together. It seemed everyone enjoyed working with each other outside of the frustration of the constant losing.

The losing and the lack of progress from the team. The Magic may have felt good at the end of the day, but they were not producing results.

"“Frank did an excellent job keeping our spirits high throughout the season, continuing to work us and make sure we were working hard and improving,” Aaron Gordon said. “It’s too bad. I was just getting comfortable working with him. Now we’re going to have a new coach. But I really trust this general management. They are smart, they have been around winning teams. I’m looking forward to what’s in store.”"

And even if stability and consistency from the coaching staff are important, the Magic decided Vogel was not the right guy moving forward.

Weltman said there is no timeframe for finding a new coach. He said the sooner the better, but the team will make sure they find the right coach rather than the quick one. He also added there is no short list made already. The process is just beginning.

The one thing that seems for sure is the Magic need to make sure this coach lasts. They have to make sure this coach is one who will be with the team for a long time and build the culture and team Weltman wants.

Everyone within the Magic organization knows the value of consistency. The Magic will be working on their fifth coach in seven years. That is no way to build a team.

"“I think a big part of success a lot of times can be consistency,” Nikola Vucevic said. “We haven’t had great results. A lot of times the fault falls on the coach, unfortunately. It’s definitely not easy when you have a new coach always. You have to get to know him and build that relationship, learn his system and learn how he works. Everything changes.”"

And, now more than ever, it feels like everything has to change for the Magic. Continuity is valuable when it seems to be going anywhere. After just one season with 30 wins in the last six, the Magic cannot do just more of the same.

Vogel was a casualty of six years of drek that needs to be cleared out. The team now has to begin clearing out the rest. That is what this decision means.

Weltman is not one to rush the process. Things will happen as they happen.

Like his coaching search, he said it will not formulaic or scientific. It is about people and bringing in the right people to the organization.

"“There is urgency to build this team the right way,” Weltman said. “There is urgency to get things going the right way and build a sustainable winner here. We’re not going to shortcut it to put a playoff team on the floor next year if it costs us future assets that could pay big dividends down the road.”"

Next: Orlando Magic Offseason Manifesto: Firing Frank Vogel

Now the changes can begin in earnest. Orlando is ready to reset itself and take another step forward. Even if it means taking a step back from a coach everyone appreciated.