Skiles, who still lives in the Orlando area, holds a 443-433 record (18-24 in the playoffs) in 13 seasons coaching the Phoenix Suns, Bulls and Milwaukee Bucks. Nelson Chenault-USA TODAY Sports
Scott Skiles is expected to be named head coach of the Orlando Magic this week.
According to reports, Skiles emerged as the best available option with NBA head-coaching experience when Orlando decided it would not part with first-round draft compensation to pry Tom Thibodeau from the Chicago Bulls.
Magic general manager Rob Hennigan has discussed the opening with several candidates, but Skiles separated himself in the process, league sources told Yahoo Sports.
According to the report, the 51-year-old Skiles has been the preferred choice of Orlando ownership, which has been fond of him since his playing days with the Magic from 1989 to 1994.
The Magic fired head coach Jacque Vaughn in February and finished the season 25-57 under interim coach James Borrego. Borrego is expected to remain on the coaching staff as one of Skiles’ assistants.
Skiles, who still lives in the Orlando area, holds a 443-433 record (18-24 in the playoffs) in 13 seasons coaching the Phoenix Suns, Bulls and Milwaukee Bucks.
Skiles is known for his ability to help turn teams around. He took the Bulls from 19 wins in 2004 to 47 in 2005, his first of two seasons there.
After he took over the Bucks, the team went from 34 wins to 46 from 2009 to 2010.
He is also known for a grating personality and highly demanding coaching style cited upon his exit from previous jobs and notably in Chicago, where he was let go on Christmas Eve.
