The Golden State Warriors officially named Frank Vogel their de-facto defensive coordinator on Thursday, a move that is way more shocking than it looks at first glance. Vogel was literally prepared to take a sabbatical this summer after holding four head coaching jobs in just nine years, including stints with Indiana, Orlando, the Lakers, and Phoenix, plus assisting Jason Kidd in Dallas. So, what in the world changed his mind to jump right back into the grind with Golden State?
Not Just About LeBron, Apparently
Look, it’s fair to connect the dots when Steve Kerr hired Vogel back in mid-July. Vogel was the Lakers’ championship-winning head coach in 2019-20, and the Warriors were running hard after LeBron James in free agency. Vogel himself admits it. “LeBron and I still have a great relationship, so that may have been something that could’ve been enticing to him,” Vogel told the Chronicle. He even acknowledged it *could* have helped Golden State’s case. But here’s the kicker: Vogel quickly shut down the idea that his hiring was *just* a pawn in the LeBron chase. He said, “we, from what I understand, felt like it was still a long-shot to get him. So that was not the purpose in hiring me.” Nah, the real reason was way simpler: Kerr wanted a “new defensive mind.” Kerr’s apparently admired Vogel’s approach for a decade. After the Suns fired Vogel in 2024, Kerr reached out for lunch in Manhattan Beach, pitching him the job. Vogel just wasn’t in the right headspace then. He said, “Most scenarios or situations in the NBA, it would’ve been a ‘no,’ for me to jump right back into another job.”
Banged Up But Still Dangerous
So, what made the Warriors different? Kerr must have rung again, and that earlier lunch clicked. Vogel admitted he twisted his lips into a knowing smile when asked about the low external expectations for these Warriors. He knows the roster is “banged-up” and “aging.” He knows he wants to be a head coach again, but he chose *this* job because he truly feels Golden State still has “plenty of defensive talent to be great.” You gotta love that confidence! He pointed to the obvious: “Any team with Steph and Draymond can win. They’ve just had injuries, the last couple years. That’s the only reason.” Right now, Jimmy Butler and Moses Moody aren’t available “early on,” but Vogel’s got a plan. “If you can keep your head above water to start the season, those guys come back , now you become one of the most dangerous teams in the league. And you can have a very high ceiling.”
This is a huge external addition to a staff that just saw former assistants Terry Stotts and Jerry Stackhouse depart. Vogel’s mission is clear: keep that defense locked down and get them through the early stretch. Can they actually keep their heads above water without Butler and Moody? We’re all gonna be watching that early season grind.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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