Jacque Vaughn hired as Magic head coach

While Jacque Vaughn brings little coaching experience to the table, Orlando felt confident enough to name him their new head coach according to Josh Robbins of the Orlando Sentinel. Vaughn will fill a gaping hole at the coaching position, previously filled by Stan Van Gundy, widely regarded as one of the elite coaches in the NBA.

Orlando is expected to hold a press conference on Monday to officially announce the hiring according to the report. Vaughn has little experience under his belt, having sat behind Gregg Popovich for two years. The other candidates for the vacancy were Philadelphia 76ers associate head coach Michael Curry and Phoenix Suns player development coach Lindsey Hunter.

Vaughn will be expected to take over a team in disarray due in large part to Dwight Howard’s frustration. The team has already unloaded Ryan Anderson, last years Most Improved Player of the Year, for a cheap asset in Gustavo Ayon. They will retain their incumbent point guard, Jameer Nelson, after they agreed to a three-year extension.

But Howard’s decision looms over the entire organization and depending on his decision and the return they receive, Orlando could either by a lottery bound team or a middling team with a bunch of good players.

Expect Vaughn to handle any arsenal of players at his disposal effectively — whether that includes Howard or not — which makes this hiring a good one. Even if Shaq doesn’t necessarily agree.

Photo courtesy of Bleacher Report