This seemed to be rather inevitable. Coming off a disappointing 2015-16 that started with playoff expectations, Orlando Magic head coach Scott Skiles has resigned his post.
The move was made official by the Magic on Thursday, exactly a month after Orlando ended an extremely unsuccessful 35-win regular season.
In announcing his resignation, Skiles had this to say:
“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, via NBA.com. “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.”
Notice how he made sure to indicate that this was solely his decision? There was a lot of speculation about Skiles’ future following the regular season, a campaign that saw Orlando fail to improve at the pace many expected.
Skiles was hired last spring after Orlando put up three consecutive seasons with 25 or fewer wins.
Though, the young talent on this roster seemed to suggest that the Magic would contend for a playoff spot in what many considered to be a watered-down Eastern Conference.
After starting the season with a 19-13 record, Orlando went on to put up 16-34 mark in its final 50 games.
A major regression on the defensive side of the ball coupled with a lack of improvement from the team’s young core led to this decline.
And while it’s a surprise a coach would resign after just one season, it seemed to be inevitable that Skiles’ stay in Orlando would be short-lived.
Skiles now boasts a career .499 winning percentage in 14 seasons as a NBA head coach with the Phoenix Suns, Chicago Bulls, Milwaukee Bucks and Orlando Magic.
As it relates to Orlando’s head coaching opening, there promises to be a lot of interest in that job. This team heads into the summer with a ton of cap room to spend on free agents and one of the most-talented young rosters in the Eastern Conference.