LOS ANGELES _ Frank Vogel has agreed to a three-year contract to become the Lakers' next head coach and Jason Kidd will be on his staff as an assistant, according to people familiar with the Lakers' decision.
Vogel was previously head coach of the Orlando Magic and the Indiana Pacers. In six seasons as the Pacers' head coach, Vogel went 250-181 with five playoff appearances. In two seasons with the Orlando Magic, Vogel went 54-110.
Kidd interviewed for the Lakers' head coaching job in April. While his interview was considered a favor, according to people with knowledge of the situation, he impressed the Lakers' front office enough that they wanted him on the staff of whomever they hired.
In their negotiations with former Cavaliers coach Tyronn Lue, the Lakers asked Lue to hire Kidd as part of his staff. Contrary to reports, Lue was never asked to put Kurt Rambis on his staff, according to a person familiar with their discussions.
Rambis, though, was part of the group of Lakers' officials who had strong voices in this process, the people said. The coaching search was led by Lakers general manager Rob Pelinka, though the decision ultimately lay with controlling owner Jeanie Buss. Linda Rambis, Buss' confidante and the Lakers' director of special projects, was also a significant part of the decision-making process.
Vogel takes over almost one month after the Lakers parted ways with former head coach Luke Walton. The Lakers had previously offered a three-year deal to Lue, but Lue declined that offer. Although Lue thought the Lakers would ultimately make him an offer he was more inclined to consider, they did not.
The Lakers also strongly considered Philadelphia assistant Monty Williams for the job, but never made him an offer. Williams took a job last week as the head coach of the Phoenix Suns.
