Warriors Get Vogel
Warriors bolster coaching staff, bringing in Frank Vogel as lead assistant under Steve Kerr
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Key Points
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Vogel is reported to join Steve Kerr's staff as the lead/associate head coach, signaling an elevated role on Golden State's bench.
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Vogel's head coaching résumé spans the Pacers, Magic, Lakers and Suns, including three division titles, three conference finals appearances, and the Lakers’ 2020 championship run.
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He spent the 2024-25 season as an assistant with the Dallas Mavericks under Jason Kidd, prior to taking on the Warriors job.
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Vogel previously coached LeBron James on the Lakers, a connection that feeds ongoing speculation about the Warriors' interest in James, though the hire is framed as strengthening coaching leadership, not a LeBron target.
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Kerr recently signed a new two-year contract with Golden State, a development analysts say could position Vogel as a potential long-term successor to Kerr.
Frank Vogel, the coach who led the Los Angeles Lakers to the 2020 NBA championship, is joining the Golden State Warriors as associate head coach under Steve Kerr, according to ESPN and Marc Stein. The hire gives Golden State one of the most accomplished defensive minds in the league.
Vogel spent the 2024-25 season as an assistant with the Dallas Mavericks under Jason Kidd. Now he moves to the Bay, filling a vacancy on a Kerr staff that is looking to sharpen its edge heading into next season, NBC Bay Area reported.
Vogel Brings a Championship Résumé to Golden State
Vogel has been an NBA head coach for over a decade. He led the Indiana Pacers, Orlando Magic, Lakers, and Phoenix Suns. Along the way he earned three division titles and three conference finals appearances, SF Chronicle noted. His crowning moment was the Lakers' 2020 bubble title — a run built on elite defense.
The Warriors value him for exactly that defensive acumen. Golden State has leaned on offense in recent years. Adding a coach known for locking down opponents gives Kerr a trusted voice on that end of the floor, according to Heavy.
LeBron James Rumors Swirl Around the Vogel Hire
Vogel coached LeBron James during those 2020 Lakers championship run. That connection is fueling fresh speculation that Golden State could be targeting LeBron as a free agent, Clutch Points reported. LeBron has spoken publicly about his respect for Vogel as a coach.
Still, Warriors officials frame the hire as a move to strengthen coaching leadership — not as a direct play for any one player. No deal involving LeBron exists at this point. The Vogel hire stands on its own merits, according to NBC Bay Area.
Kerr's New Deal Opens the Door for a Succession Plan
Steve Kerr recently signed a new two-year contract extension with the Warriors. That deal keeps him on the bench through at least the 2026-27 season. Analysts say the timeline could position Vogel as a natural long-term successor to Kerr, SF Chronicle reported.
Pairing Kerr with a former champion head coach as his associate is a bold move. It gives the Warriors a ready-made option if and when a transition comes. For now, both coaches will work side by side building what they hope is a title-contending team, according to Heavy.
How Vogel's Role Fills a Key Staff Gap
The associate head coach seat was open after a recent departure from Kerr's staff. Vogel steps directly into that elevated role. It is one step below the head coach — meaning he will have real influence over game planning, rotations, and player development, SF Chronicle reported.
His experience coaching All-Stars and managing big personalities makes him a strong fit for a Warriors locker room that includes veterans like Stephen Curry. Golden State is betting that Vogel's résumé translates into wins, according to Head Top Topics.
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