Scott Skiles, as he admitted in a statement, is not the right coach for the Orlando Magic.
Why Skiles believed he was the right coach when he was hired one year ago and not the right coach today is not clear. Skiles’ resignation statement gave no details, and Magic general manager Rob Hennigan didn’t offer substantial reasons on Thursday.
Was Skiles unhappy with the roster? Not in agreement with the front-office plan? Did he clash with Hennigan?
With no answers from Skiles, Hennigan said during his Thursday press conference that he didn’t think those were issues.
And yet Skiles walked away from two guaranteed years left on a contract that would’ve paid him millions. Did Skiles regret taking the job?
Something wasn’t right.
Though Hennigan at the time of Skiles’ hiring and again on Thursday said he was the one who made the decision to hire Skiles, it’s no secret that ownership, led by the DeVos family, and Magic CEO Alex Martins backed Skiles.
The organization has fond memories of Skiles’ time as a player, and Skiles has a knack for getting the most out of his teams. And yet, had ownership and Martins not been in Skiles’ corner, would Hennigan have hired him? It certainly doesn't seem like the kind of hire Hennigan would make.
In his statement, Skiles said, “After much thought and careful consideration, I and I alone, have come to the conclusion that I am not the right head coach for this team. Therefore, effective immediately, I resign my position as head coach of the Orlando Magic. I realize this type of decision can cause much speculation. The reality though is in the first sentence. It is simple and true. Any other rumors are pure conjecture.
“I sincerely apologize for any unintended consequences that may adversely affect anyone associated with this decision.”
The Magic were 35-47 in Skiles’ only season, a 10-win improvement over 2014-15 and a sign the Magic were headed in the better direction with a young team filled with potential and some talent.
But Skiles’ resignation signals a disconnect, and it’s on ownership, senior management and the front office to make good on the next hire.
Magic assistant coach Adrian Griffin, who used to be an assistant for Tom Thibodeau in Chicago, is expected to get a look. There are several coaching prospects who could end up interviewing – some of them more well-known names (Mark Jackson) and some not (Miami Heat assistant coach David Fizdale and Portland Trail Blazers assistant David Vanterpool).
It’s an attractive job with Victor Oladipo, Evan Fournier, Elfrid Payton, Nikola Vucevic, Aaron Gordon and Mario Hezonja on the roster.
“We have a great situation here,” Hennigan told reporters. “We’ve got a great group of guys. We’ve got a young team. We’ve got guys who are willing to work. We’ve got guys who want to be pushed, want to be coached. We think the future is really bright here.
Jacque Vaughn didn’t work out as Orlando’s coach – that was Hennigan’s call – and Skiles didn’t work out.
The day after the Magic hired Skiles last April, they gave Hennigan an extension. If they believe that much in him, the next hire should be Hennigan’s and his alone. If ownership and Martins want to establish what they’re looking for in a head coach, fine.
But the general manager and front office need to work in concert. Hennigan needs to make that decision.
