Orlando Magic Rumors: Kelvin Sampson emerging in Orlando Magic coaching search
The Orlando Magic coaching search has stayed fairly quiet. A new name has just emerged. Houston Cougars coach Kelvin Sampson appears to be a favorite.
The Orlando Magic’s coaching search has been as slow as it is long.
The team has definitely had at least three candidates in for interviews and probably a whole lot more. No one really knows where the Magic are at in their process, how many coaches they have interviewed or what coaches they are targeting. At this point, it is hard to say even what kind of coach the team is targeting.
But, with the NBA Draft Lottery taking place and the NBA Draft Combine this week, the team certainly needs to start moving to bring a head coach in place as draft workouts begin. And the Magic are moving forward with their process.
That is if the latest rumor is to be believed.
Marc Stein of The New York Times is suggesting the Magic have targeted a favorite candidate — former Indiana Hoosiers head coach and current Houston Cougars head coach Kelvin Sampson.
No team has kept its coaching search quieter than Orlando, but there is a growing belief among league insiders gathered in Chicago this week that University of Houston coach Kelvin Sampson has emerged as the Magic's prime target
— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) May 16, 2018
It is important to note, Stein cites the source is not coming from those close to the Magic or their process but rather the mysterious “league insiders.” That could mean there is some speculation or whispers around the league about what the Magic will do.
Sampson had a strong run with Houston last year in the NCAA. The Cougars went 27-8 last year and made the NCAA Tournament. He has built an 83-48 record with two NIT appearances in addition to last year’s NCAA Tournament appearance in four years at Houston.
His most notable head coaching position though came at Indiana from 2007-08. With Eric Gordon and D.J. White, the Hoosiers finished third in the Big Ten and made the NCAA Tournament in his first year in 2007.
But he never finished his second year. The NCAA investigated him for making impermissible phone calls and he was fired mid-season.
He committed similar NCAA violations with the Oklahoma Sooners during a successful run there from 1995-2006. That run included 11 NCAA Tournament appearances with a Final Four run in 2002 and three Big 12 tournament championships.
It is clear he is a good coach. He gets a lot out of his teams and they had success at the collegiate level. And he has taken that to the NBA level.
After his dismissal from Indiana and before arriving in Houston, Sampson spent his time in the NBA. He was a consultant for the San Antonio Spurs and then joined Scott Skiles‘ staff with the Milwaukee Bucks. That was when John Hammond was the Bucks’ general manager and Jeff Weltman was his assistant GM.
He also spent some time on Kevin McHale’s staff with the Houston Rockets in 2014 until he was hired to coach the local Houston Cougars.
Weltman has continued to keep quiet on the coaching search. He spoke to the media after the NBA Draft Lottery on Tuesday in Chicago and said the search was progressing but would remain deliberate.
Next: Orlando Magic will draft sixth
Orlando will continue to hold its cards close to the vest. This little piece of information managed to wriggle free. But only time will tell what direction the Magic head.