The Magic announced the assistant coaches for the upcoming season. Brendan Malone, Patrick Ewing, Steve Clifford and Bob Beyer were all named as assistant coaches. I was a bit surprised not to see Tom Sterner on the list, but oh well. A fresh start is good. I am glad to see Patrick Ewing back with the Magic. I think almost everyone can agree he will be a great influence on Dwight Howard.
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Yesteday at 5pm, the Orlando Magic introduced Stan Van Gundy as their new head coach. The press conference was exactly as I said before, pretty low key with only the major news outlets showing up. But that's fine with us. Van Gundy brings something to the table that no one is talking about. The one thing that is probably more important than the X's and O's any coach will ever teach. Van Gundy has personality. Listening to the press conference, it was obvious he has more personality than our last 4 coaches combined. I think that will be a huge difference in how the team reacts to him later on in the season.
Continue reading Van Gundy press conference.
The Orlando Sentinel has posted a good piece on the Van Gundy hire and background story on how everything went down the last day or so. I know, I'm shocked too - but it's a pretty decent read. Assuming everything has been checked and verified, it's one of the few pieces with more fact than opinion. Check it out.
Billy Donovan press conference, courtesy of News-Journal Online and AP: http://video.ap.org/v/Legacy.aspx?partner=en-ap&g=ce002e2a-52b4-4f70-8987-14ffceb4e28e&t=UNKNOWN&p=ENAPsports_ENAPsports&&f=FLDAY.
After some late night rumors of Van Gundy spending the day in Sacramento and speculation that he might sign with the Kings, the news now is that Van Gundy will become the head coach of the Orlando Magic. I think pretty much everyone can now breathe a sigh of relief. I'm sure plenty would argue that he's the perfect fit and others might argue he's not. But I think everyone can agree with the choice considering the options. So, I hope everyone will welcome Stan Van Gundy to the Orlando Magic and let's get ready for the season!
Magic have officially released Billy Donovan from his head coaching contract so that he can return to Florida. However, in another twist, some rumors are flying that Stan Van Gundy has possibly accepted the Sacramento job. Apparently, Van Gundy had a third interview and was seen traveling the area. This could spell trouble Magic fans. While I won't go out there and say that Van Gundy was the best possible head coach available - I'm truly worried what the knucklenuts in the blue room might end up with. I had zero emotion on the head coaching position until now. Now, I just feel sick thinking we might end up with Johnny Davis.
Well, almost. Reports circulating the net state the Magic have offered the head coaching position to Stan Van Gundy. However, Van Gundy is waiting for the Donovan mess to shake out AND the Heat organization might ask for future draft picks in order to let Van Gundy out of his contract. What a freaking mess?!? Anyhow, this really isn't news to most fans - rumors broke out on Monday of the Magic offering the job to Van Gundy verbally. I guess we'll all sit around and wait until the "official" word comes out. Meanwhile, I'm willing to purchase season tickets for the upcoming year in exchange for lifetime free beer at each game and future cash considerations.
After a hectic morning, the news about the head coaching job has quieted considerably going into the afternoon. There were rumors, confirmations, more rumors and then just simple crazy talk most of the morning. Sometimes, news was being leaked or written about for the first time about as fast as one could sit down and blog about it. Now, just like that - everything is quiet again. My guess, the Magic are arranging air travel for Van Gundy and we'll have a press conference to introduce him as the new coach by end of business today. With the draft and free agency coming up, combined with the Donovan disappearing act, the Magic need to quickly clean the overnight mess. The team needs a couple quiet weeks in order to calm any fears that potential free agent signings might have.
All is quiet, even ticket representatives aren't calling.
As I have stated numerous times in the last couple days, I'm pretty numb on the whole coaching buzz. I'm not against or for any particular coach - but I do have an ounce of preference for Carlisle. Anyhow, I was thinking the whole mess over and it hit me. The Magic will go for a dual head coaching position and hire both Van Gundy's. It will be the first dual head coach position of its kind in basketball. Stan will be the new offensive coordinator and Jeff will be run the defense. Now, we just need a special teams coach - and the circus will be complete.
Stan Van Gundy has always been in the Magic's head coaching plans. The Billy Donovan deal basically made him the #2 choice. Now that Donovan wants to return to Florida and get out of this Orlando contract - look for the Magic to scramble to sign Van Gundy the end of the day. **Update, reports are cycling through the net now that the Van Gundy deal is done. Still though, don't look for some big press conference to announce his hiring. **2nd update, press conference was originally set for Tuesday am - but the Magic are looking to cover this mess up quick. Expect something done by late afternoon.
