Head Coach Frank Vogel Will Be Fantastic Fit With Orlando Magic

Frank Vogel agreed to a contract with the Orlando Magic on Thursday, and they will now get the opportunity to move forward after former head coach Scott Skiles resigned abruptly earlier this year. The team is quite excited about Vogel’s future with them.

“While we were conducting our search, it became very evident that Frank is a terrific fit for our organization,” Magic general manager Rob Hennigan said in a statement. “He is a strong, hard-working and experienced leader who will continue to instill smart, physical, unselfish and defensive-minded basketball in our group. We welcome him into the Magic family, as we move forward in a positive direction.”

Vogel won’t necessarily make personnel decisions, but he should suggest to his front office that they avoid Dwight Howard in free agency. Orlando doesn’t need to go through any more drama at this time, and Howard seems to attract it like a bee to honey. Vogel had a regular-season record of 250-181 with the Indiana Pacers, and he helped that franchise make the playoffs many times. That is what the Magic are hoping he can do for them.

The 42-year-old had a record of 31-30 in the postseason with the Pacers, and he enabled Paul George to become a bona fide superstar. Indiana even made it to the Eastern Conference Finals before George brutally injured his leg during a Team USA exhibition game

Vogel will inherit one of the most talented young teams in the NBA. Nikola Vucevic, Aaron Gordon, Victor Oladipo and Elfrid Payton each have All-Star potential, and they all have their best days ahead of them. If the Magic are able to sign a quality free agent this offseason, then they could definitely make the playoffs next season. They haven’t made the postseason in four straight years, but they are more than capable of breaking that streak with the right coaching.

That is where Vogel comes in. He’ll bring a great defensive mentality to the franchise, and they will appreciate his particular brand of leadership. Vogel never got enough praise for his fantastic work with the Pacers, and Larry Bird will eventually regret his choice to let the coach go.