It was hard not to feel the buzz in the room as the Orlando Magic introduced Frank Vogel as the next coach for the team.
Somehow, someway, the resignation of Scott Skiles got turned into the best coach on the market. Someone who had been to the Playoff five of the past six years including the Eastern Conference Finals twice. All with a relatively young team Vogel helped guide to the doorstep of the Finals.
That is one of the things that caught Vogel’s eye as he spoke to the Orlando Magic. He had plenty of job opportunities he was pursuing and looking at when the Magic jumped into the job market.
It was pretty clear instantly though that something more clicked for Vogel when it came to the Magic.
“As I went through the process, it became very clear to me very early that this was the perfect place for me to continue my basketball journey,” VOGEL SAID AT HIS INTRODUCTORY PRESS CONFERENCE MONDAY. “As I looked at the overall situation, it also became clear it was the right landing spot for my family. We are very excited to be here.”
The Vogel hire has almost been universally praised. And Vogel seems up for the challenge to this point.
He called the Magic a perfect fit for him and his family. It was the kind of young roster with potential he was looking to grow and build.
And Vogel certainly believes in the roster he has. He believes they are ready to take the next step and make the Playoffs. All but issuing a firm guarantee they would.
It is certainly a new era for the Magic.
Changes expected for midweek match
Orlando City has a quick turnaround to prepare for this week between Saturday’s come-from-behind win over the Montreal Impact and Wednesday’s game over the Philadelphia Union. And that was made even more difficult with a pair of injuries to the defense.
Rafael Ramos and Seb Hines will both miss the game Wednesday with injuries. That will lead to some shifting with the defensive back line for Wednesday’s game.
Orlando City is feeling the momentum from the 2-1 win over Montreal after going seven matches without a win. This could potentially slow things down.
It likely means Kevin Alston and Tommy Redding slide into the starting lineup. Both are more than capable of filling in that position.
UCF kicks off American Tournament
UCF starts its trip to the American Conference Baseball Tournament on Tuesday at 7 p.m. in Clearwater, Fla., against Tulane.
The Knights finished in last place in the conference and take on the top-seeded Tulane Green Wave. The game will air on CBS Sports Network.
