Lakers HC Frank Vogel's job reportedly in 'serious jeopardy'
The Los Angeles Lakers picked up a much-needed home victory on Monday against the Utah Jazz. Still, the star-studded group is just 22-22 and currently No. 7 in the Western Conference standings.
The underwhelming first half has reportedly put their head coach squarely on the hot seat.
"Los Angeles Lakers coach Frank Vogel's job is in serious jeopardy with the team seventh in the Western Conference through 44 games, sources told The Athletic," Sam Amick and Bill Oram reported Tuesday morning. "Vogel is being evaluated on a game-to-game basis and is at risk of being fired if progress doesn’t continue after Monday’s win over the Utah Jazz, sources said."
Following eight seasons as an assistant with the Boston Celtics, Philadelphia 76ers and Indiana Pacers from 2001 to 2011, Vogel was hired as the Pacers head coach midway through the 2011-2012 season to replaced the fired Jim O'Brien. The Wildwood Crest, N.J., native stayed on as Indiana's head coach through the 2015-2016 season before serving at the helm of the Orlando Magic during the 2016-2017 and 2017-2018 campaigns.
Vogel was hired as the Lakers head coach in May 2019 and helped the team go 52-19 and capture the 2020 NBA title. The team went 42-30 last season and lost in the first round of the playoffs to the Phoenix Suns, 4-2.
The 48-year-old coach has posted a career regular-season record of 420-362 and a postseason mark of 49-39.
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