Orlando Magic officially name Scott Skiles new head coach

The Orlando Magic officially named Scott Skiles the team’s newest head coach.

The Orlando Magic named Scott Skiles the team’s newest head coach on Friday afternoon. News of a union between Skiles and the Magic has been floating around for the better part of a week, and now it’s official.

Skiles now becomes the 11th head coach in franchise history (Brian Hill served two stints at the helm of the Magic); including interim coaches, he’s the seventh in the past decade. Since firing Stan Van Gundy after a first round playoff exit in 2012 the Magic have failed to make the postseason. Skiles will look to turn around a team that has won a combined 68 games over the past three seasons. To put that number into context, Golden State won 67 games this year.

Orlando GM Rob Hennigan had the following to say about his new coach:

"“Scott (Skiles) clearly distinguished himself as a tremendous fit,” said Hennigan. “Our young roster will benefit greatly from Scott’s extensive head coaching experience and commitment to teaching smart, physical, unselfish basketball. We believe in Scott’s ability to establish a culture of winning habits and accountability that will help guide our team in a positive direction.”"

Magic CEO Alex Martins praised Skiles for his ability to develop talent by way of a strategic game-planning.

"“As we began our search, our internal discussions centered on finding a head coach with a solid resume of NBA head coaching experience, great leadership qualities, a motivating communication style, and someone with a strong strategic acumen,” said Orlando Magic CEO Alex Martins. “We feel Scott (Skiles) brings a balanced approach in all those qualities and we look forward, with great confidence, to him leading our young men in helping us reach our collective goal of sustainable success.”"

Orlando is Skiles’ fourth head coaching stop (Phoenix, Chicago, Milwaukee). His record is a hair above .500, at 443-433 (.506); he’s reached the playoffs in six seasons.

Aside from hiring a veteran coach, the signing brings a bit of a nostalgia factor to the Magic. Skiles was a member of the inaugural Magic team in 1989-90 and played five seasons with the team.

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