Longtime NBA Coach Frank Vogel Accepts Surprise Assistant Role
By 813 Staff
Frank Vogel has agreed to become the associate head coach of the Dallas Mavericks, league sources confirm to *813 Morning Brief*.
The move, first reported by Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) on July 12, 2026, brings a championship-winning coach into Jason Kidd’s bench. Vogel, 53, has been out of the league since his dismissal from the Phoenix Suns following the 2023-24 season. Those close to the situation say Vogel spent the last two years studying modern offensive systems and recalibrating his defensive philosophy—a lesson he learned the hard way in Phoenix. The front office has been quietly searching for a veteran voice to add stability to the locker room, particularly on the defensive end, where Dallas ranked 17th in defensive rating last season.
This hire isn’t just about bench depth. Vogel won a title with the Los Angeles Lakers in 2020 by building a top-three defense around LeBron James and Anthony Davis. The Mavericks, sources say, have long admired how Vogel adjusts his schemes to personnel—something Kidd’s staff has sometimes struggled to do mid-game. Vogel’s role will be to oversee the game-planning for halfcourt sets, help develop young big men, and serve as a sounding board for Kidd during timeouts. The contract is for two years with a team option for a third, per a source with direct knowledge.
Why this matters for Tampa Bay and the region: If you’re a fan of the Florida-based teams, this hire signals Dallas is all-in on title contention. The Mavericks already have Luka Dončić and Kyrie Irving, and adding a coach who has managed superstar egos and won at the highest level is a clear message. For the local basketball community, Vogel has deep ties to the Southeast—he coached the Orlando Magic from 2016-2018 and still owns a home in the area. Expect him to be a regular name in scouting and coaching circles down here.
What happens next: Vogel is expected to join the Mavericks’ summer league staff in Las Vegas to start building rapport with the roster. The official press conference hasn’t been scheduled, but the team should announce it within the next 48 hours. One lingering question: whether Vogel will have the same autonomy to call defensive sets that he had in Indiana and Los Angeles. Those close to the situation say Kidd is eager to share authority, but until we see rotations in early October, that remains to be seen.
Source: https://x.com/ShamsCharania/status/2076446612944277716
