All indications are the Orlando Magic will have contract talks with Frank Vogel today in hopes of making Vogel their new head coach.
Vogel already met with the DeVos family earlier in the week. A meeting between a coaching candidate and the Magic’s owners always is a necessary precursor to negotiating a deal and making a hire.
Vogel, 42, fits the profile Magic officials set for Scott Skiles’ successor: someone who emphasizes the defensive end of the court and someone who relates well to players.
In Vogel’s five full seasons as the Indiana Pacers’ head coach, his teams finished in the top six in field-goal percentage defense every year and in the top 10 in defensive efficiency every year.
Team officials also have interviewed Adrian Griffin, who worked as the Magic’s lead assistant coach during the 2015-16 season. Franchise executives and the team’s players regard Griffin highly.
Vogel, however, has head-coaching experience. He amassed a 250-181 regular-season record and a 31-30 postseason record during his Pacers tenure.
The Magic’s head-coaching job opened when Skiles resigned last week after one season.
Josh Robbins covers the Orlando Magic and the NBA for the Orlando Sentinel. You can reach him via e-mail at [email protected] and connect with him on Facebook at facebook.com/JoshuaBRobbins. Follow him on Twitter at @JoshuaBRobbins.