Frank Vogel, a veteran NBA head coach known best for teaching defense, will be the first candidate for the 2023 Houston Rockets to receive a second interview, per Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN.
“I’m told he was very impressive to the people in Houston,” said Woj, who adds that the 49-year-old is “very much in the mix” to replace Stephen Silas. “He’s going to be brought back again.”
Vogel has 10-plus seasons of NBA coaching experience with the Indiana Pacers, Orlando Magic, and Los Angeles Lakers. Vogel’s teams are 431-389 (.526) in the regular season and 49-39 (.557) in the playoffs, including a run to the 2020 NBA championship with the Lakers.
Other top candidates for the Houston job are believed to include former Celtics head coach Ime Udoka; former Nets head coach and current Warriors assistant Kenny Atkinson; and current Raptors head coach Nick Nurse, should he choose to leave Toronto.
A timetable for the hire is not yet clear, though Houston appears to be working relatively quickly. Silas was officially let go Monday, with Vogel completing his first interview just two days later.
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Story originally appeared on Rockets Wire