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MagicMadness
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Magic launch search for coach
Topic Started: Apr 26 2005, 12:36 PM (329 Views)
iceveins333
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By Brian Schmitz | Sentinel Staff Writer
Posted April 26, 2005


Correction: An earlier version of this story said The Orlando Magic met with interim coach Chris Jent on Monday.

The Orlando Magic are formally tipping off their coaching search, and they will begin in the home office: The Magic are scheduled to interview interim Coach Chris Jent today.

The club said Jent would be the first candidate interviewed, and he and Magic General Manager John Weisbrod will meet sometime today.

Jent, 35, a second-year league assistant who replaced the fired Johnny Davis with 18 games remaining, didn't expect the team to make a decision on him immediately.

"That's safe to say," Jent said Monday from his home. "I think the team wants to move forward, though."

Jent, the second-youngest NBA coach, is not expected to be retained.

He made it clear the past few weeks that he wants the job. Jent says he believes he is "a good coach" despite his inexperience. He says he knows Orlando's personnel. He says he has a plan to improve the defense, build around rookie Dwight Howard and get the best out of erratic guard Steve Francis.

The Magic, who finished 36-46, have been deluged by coaches interested in becoming the eighth head coach in franchise history.

"Name" coaches already available are Phil Jackson, Flip Saunders, Paul Silas, Maurice Cheeks and Lenny Wilkens.

Magic President Bob Vander Weide said the franchise might be interested in candidates whose teams are in the playoffs. They would have to wait until that team's postseason has ended before the Magic can interview an available head coach or an assistant.

Some of those coaches include New Jersey Nets assistant Brian Hill, who coached the Magic from 1993-97; Memphis Grizzlies assistant Eric Musselman, a former Magic assistant from 1998-2000 who also served as head coach of the Golden State Warriors from 2002-04; San Antonio Spurs assistant P.J. Carlesimo, who coached the Portland Trail Blazers from 1994-97 and the Warriors from 1997-1999.

League sources say Musselman, 40, will be interviewed by the Magic.

Jent finished with a 5-13 record in his 18-game cameo with the Magic. But his stint was undermined by injuries and the NBA's three-game suspension of Francis during a failed playoff chase.

Speaking of Francis, Jent said the guard might need surgery to repair an old hernia injury this summer.

Jent said center Kelvin Cato also will address a problem with his left shoulder, which he originally injured early in the season. Cato underwent magnetic resonance imaging on the shoulder before the Magic's final game of the season. He did not play in that game against the Miami Heat at TD Waterhouse Centre.

Jent also suspected Cato will be fined for failing to attend the final team meeting Thursday.

Cato had told Jent the previous day "that he wasn't coming, and he didn't. He told me he was going home," Jent said. "He did not show for the meeting."

Asked whether Cato blew off the meeting because he was disgruntled or upset over something, Jent said, "I didn't read too much into it. Maybe he met or talked with Weis [Weisbrod] earlier before he left."

Weisbrod did not return a call for comment.
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MagicMadness
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I really hope that the Magic sign an established coach, but I do not want to see us signing Lenny Wilkens. The guy was good back in the day, but his record the past five seasons or so has been going downhill, and he just doesn't seem to have the firey passion that he did back in the day.

I don't expect us to keep Jent, nor do I want us to. He's a good guy, but with the situation we're in with trying to keep the team in Orlando, I just hope we go out and sign a big name coach.
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NYCMagicFan
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iceveins333
Apr 26 2005 12:36 PM
Speaking of Francis, Jent said the guard might need surgery to repair an old hernia injury this summer.

Hopefully this doesnt bother Francis next season.
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iceveins333
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If were stupid enough to hire Lenny Wilkens :no: :no: :no: :S :S
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Solid Snake
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Musselman or Saunders is the only way to go. Both know there basketball, have great knowledge of x's and o's but Musselman is better at motivating and getting the best out of his team. I would be happy with either one though.
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c4ac5
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already sounds like jackson is going back to L.A.,not unless grant hill could somehow convince him that he'll last all year long,and that howard will turn into an allstar.
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Black and Blue
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Solid Snake
Apr 26 2005 05:03 PM
Musselman or Saunders is the only way to go. Both know there basketball, have great knowledge of x's and o's but Musselman is better at motivating and getting the best out of his team. I would be happy with either one though.

I totally agree!
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redneck
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Saunders would be a good choice, he turned the Wolves into a decent team, when they were having problems.
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adamosthegreek
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HELL NO to Saunders. :no:
I'll be happy with either:
Phil
Coach K
(these two will be near impossible)
Muss (MY BOY)


I'd also think about Maurice Cheeks. :D
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iceveins333
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how do you say no to flip saunders...he brings out nice D and actually emphasizes ball movement
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MAGICMANEVAN
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^ cuz he probably wont want to come to orlando.
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I don't expect us to keep Jent, nor do I want us to. He's a good guy, but with the situation we're in with trying to keep the team in Orlando, I just hope we go out and sign a big name coach.
he is an "ok" coach, but we need a better guy, hopefully musselman. but i hope we can still keep jent as an assistant coach since the players like and listen to him.
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