Orlando Hires Jacque Vaughn as New Head Coach

The Magic have hired 37 year old Jacque Vaughn to take over as head coach to replace Stan Van Gundy, who was let go after the 2011-2012 season.

I’m not really sure what the organization was thinking turning the team over to coach with so little experience.  He is of an age that he should be able to relate to players well.  He is only 3 years out of the league as a player and only has a couple of years coaching under his belt.  Two years to a prime head coaching position is quite a rise.  Let’s give him a chance though as he is considered by many league insiders as a smart, hard working and very organized coach.

He began his coaching career in 2010 as an assistant coach for the San Antonio Spurs.  His duties included scouting future opponents, helped running practices and more along with 3 other assistant coaches.  Vaughn actually had to sit behind the bench during games as the league only allows for 3 assistant coaches on the bench and he was the newest on the staff.

He was chosen over seemingly more qualified candidates Michael Malone and Brian Shaw.  Malone is lead assistant coach with the Golden State Warriors while Shaw is the associate head coach with the Pacers.  Both have way more experience but Orlando apparently saw something in the interview process that sold them on Vaughn.

This was a big surprise to most insiders in the NBA.  Former teammate Shaquille O’Neal scoffed at the hiring but I don’t take too much Shaq says seriously.  Spurs’ coach Greg Popovich seems to have confidence in the young man so we will just have to wait and see.