PHOENIX – One of the Phoenix Suns biggest rivals are poaching a former head coach for the team. According to ESPN’s Shams Charania, the Dallas Mavericks are hiring Frank Vogel to be Jason Kidd’s lead assistant for the 2025-2026 season. Vogel is a championship-winning coach that has been the staple for premier franchise like the Los Angeles Lakers, Orlando Magic and the Indiana Pacers. His tenure in Phoenix is likely the most forgettable, lasting only one year.
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Jan 19, 2024; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; Phoenix Suns head coach Frank Vogel looks on as guard Devin Booker (1) walks past him against the New Orleans Pelicans during the first half at Smoothie King Center. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-USA TODAY Sports
Vogel’s time with the Suns:
After owner Mat Ishbia and the front office decided to fire head coach Monty Williams, the leadership in charged elected to hire Vogel. The 52-year-old was on a year-hiatus, after being fired by the Lakers in 2022. The franchise was coming off a second-round exit, where it took the eventual NBA champion Denver Nuggets to six games. Hopes were high for the following year.
Phoenix under Vogel was a respectable 49-33 in a tough Western Conference. Despite nearly winning 50 games, the Suns were the sixth seed and facing off against a tough Minnesota Timberwolves team. The team was swept in embarrassing fashion and left crushed by superstar Anthony Edwards.
Apr 20, 2024; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Phoenix Suns head coach Frank Vogel reacts to a foul called in the second half against the Minnesota Timberwolves during game one of the first round for the 2024 NBA playoffs at Target Center. Mandatory Credit: Jesse Johnson-USA TODAY Sports
Regardless of the sour taste of the playoffs, the team had a stellar regular season and was primed to bounce back with star players like Devin Booker and Kevin Durant. However, Ishbia didn’t view the year as an encouraging sign and swiftly fired Vogel after only one season.
Ishbia would then hire another championship-winning coach in Mike Budenholzer to even worse results, going 36-46 and missing the Play-In entirely. Phoenix might’ve given up on Vogel too quickly, but it’s too late to think about the past with Jordan Ott taking the helm. The Mavericks are getting a 20-year coaching veteran in Vogel, while the Suns are getting a young prodigy in Ott that can hopefully turn the team’s trajectory around.
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Reporter Tanner Tortorella covers general assignment for Burn City Sports. You can follow him on his X account, @TannerTSports
