ORLANDO, Fla. — Scott Skiles has stepped down as coach of the NBA’s Orlando Magic after just one year, the somewhat surprising decision coming about a month after the conclusion of a frustrating regular season.
The team said a search for a new coach is starting immediately.
Skiles was 35-47 this season, his lone year leading the Magic — the team he spent five seasons with as a player. The Magic started 19-13 this season, then after the calendar flipped to 2016 they lost 34 of their final 50 games and missed the playoffs.
“After much thought and careful consideration, I and I alone, have come to the conclusion that I am not the right head coach for this team,” Skiles said in a statement released by the team. “Therefore, effective immediately, I resign my position as head coach of the Orlando Magic. I realize this type of decision can cause much speculation.
“The reality though is in the first sentence. It is simple and true. Any other rumors are pure conjecture.”
Orlando improved its win total by 10 over the 2014-15 season, but most of those gains came early in the year. The Magic were 9-6 in November — the team’s first winning month in nearly four years — then led the Eastern Conference with a 10-5 record in December. Skiles was the NBA’s East coach of the month, and the Magic were squarely in the playoff hunt.
Then came a freefall that never really stopped. The Magic finished 11th in the East, nine games out of a playoff spot.
“While we understand it was a challenging season, we reluctantly have accepted Scott’s resignation,” Magic general manager Rob Hennigan said. “We appreciate Scott instilling a culture of accountability and certainly wish him and his family well.”
A news conference is scheduled for later Thursday in Orlando to discuss the move and what the Magic will do next.
Orlando’s next coach will be the team’s fifth since 2012. Stan Van Gundy was fired in 2012, and he’s been followed by Jacque Vaughn, James Borrego on an interim basis to end the 2014-15 season, and then Skiles this season.
In parts of 14 seasons as a head coach, Skiles has a 478-480 record. He’s also coached in Phoenix, Chicago and Milwaukee.
“I sincerely apologize for any unintended consequences that may adversely affect anyone associated with this decision,” Skiles said. “The Magic are a world-class organization that employs world-class people. I wish them nothing but great success.”
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