The report also entertains the idea of Vogel moving to head coach and Rambis shifting toward an offensive coordinator position. “My experience has been, good coaches leave after three years”.
Advertisement
Bird gave no timeline for a decision on Vogel’s fate and said he needs to first speak with Pacers owner Herb Simon.
The Knicks have made contact with the agent for Frank Vogel, but have not yet requested an interview, according to a source close to the former Pacers coach. As an National Basketball Association player, Wittman played for the Pacers from 1989-1992 to finish his playing career. He led the Pacers to the Eastern Conference Finals two straight seasons, although he had some major struggles as well. Vogel met individually with players as he normally would at the end of the year.
Bird said that with George and promising rookie Myles Turner as part of the nucleus, the Pacers’ job should be an attractive one. “It’s all about scoring some points”.
“Frank’s a great guy”, Bird said.
Bird said he didn’t speak with any players, either.
Vogel has been with the Pacers from 2007 to 2011 as an assistant and from 2011 to 2016 as the head coach.
“I know it’s not going to be a 100-percent popular move, but all I think about is the franchise”. “If you have a new coach and a new strategy, people listen”.
With teams such as the New York Knicks and Houston Rockets looking for new coaches in this offseason, Vogel may be hearing his phone ring sooner than he thinks and may not be out of the game for long. “He’s the real deal”.
Bird didn’t announce any potential candidates to replace Vogel, but made it clear that the recently-fired coach will have no trouble exploring the job market.
As for the next candidate, Bird says he started putting together a list of candidates around the All-Star break.
The young coach has paid the price for Bird’s high expectations of the team and for failing to implement the up-tempo style that he wanted them to deploy.
Advertisement
“I wouldn’t do that to Kevin”, he said. That’s why I hope the Kings can bring Vogel in soon and at least get a chance to convince him otherwise. “He was trying to talk me out of this decision”.
