Cleveland Cavaliers: 5 candidates to replace Tyronn Lue as head coach
2. Frank Vogel
- Record: 304-291 (.511)
- Last head coaching job: Orlando Magic (2017-18)
A two-year run in Orlando wasn’t kind to Frank Vogel. That said, there are few coaches who would have had success with a team as laden with identity crisis and mismanaged as the Orlando Magic.
Vogel’s claim to coaching success was his time spent in Indiana. Over his six years as head coach for the Pacers, Vogel was responsible for a both a regular season record and playoff record over .500, including a 56-win season in 2013-14 and back-to-back appearances in the Eastern Conference Finals.
His Indiana teams were known for stout defense, constantly at the top of the league in defensive rating and owners to the best defense in both of their Eastern Conference Finals appearance years. Vogel has plenty of experience managing rosters built of a combination of proven veterans and young talent, a situation the Cavaliers might find familiar.
This hiring would be a quick fit with the current Cleveland roster, as they are constructed to play a slower game similar to the teams under Vogel in Indiana. A lack of defensive structure has been thematic for the Cavs early on into the season, so seeking a coach with Vogel’s skill-set and style could be a smart move.