The Los Angeles Lakers have regrouped from Wednesday’s breakdown with head-coaching candidate Tyronn Lue and plan to interview Frank Vogel for the position, ESPN confirmed.
Vogel was flying to Los Angeles on Thursday for the interview, league sources told ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski.
Vogel, 45, last coached for the Orlando Magic, going 25-57 in 2017-18 before being fired. In eight seasons with the Indiana Pacers and Orlando, his teams went 304-291 (.511) in the regular season and 31-30 (.508) in the playoffs. The Pacers reached the conference finals under his watch in 2013 and 2014, falling both times to LeBron James and the Miami Heat.
Known for his defensive expertise, Vogel was discussed as a candidate to join Lue’s staff had Lue taken the Lakers job, league sources told ESPN.
Vogel will become the fifth candidate to interview for the vacancy created by Luke Walton’s departure last month, joining Monty Williams, Juwan Howard, Jason Kidd and Lue. The Phoenix Suns hired Williams as their head coach.
The Lakers’ interview process is expected to include controlling owner Jeanie Buss, general manager Rob Pelinka, team adviser Kurt Rambis, director of special projects Linda Rambis and chief operating officer Tim Harris, as well as Lakers co-owners Joey Buss (president of the organization’s G League affiliate) and Jesse Buss (the Lakers’ director of scouting).
Vogel worked as a scout for the Lakers during the 2005-06 season. He was a student manager at the University of Kentucky under Rick Pitino.
The Los Angeles Times first reported the Lakers’ scheduled interview with Vogel.
Courtesy: ESPN.com
