Has LA Lakers found its next coach? Reports say Frank Vogel 'made a strong impression'

Former Pacers and Magic coach and team "are expected to talk again" on Los Angeles' open head coaching position.

Frank Vogel and Los Angeles Lakers will be meeting again soon.

According to a report from ESPN , which cited unidentified league sources, the former Pacers and Magic coach "made a strong impression" in his initial interview with Lakers. Both parties "are expected to talk again" on the open head coaching position.

Los Angeles has been searching for a new coach after the team fired Luke Walton in April after three seasons. Despite having LeBron James on the team this season, Lakers (37-45) missed the playoffs for the sixth year in a row.

But, Lakers may have found its guy after a series of talks with other potential candidates fell through.

Vogel's first meeting came after discussions with former Cavaliers coach Tyronn Lue ended. Vogel was expected to be an associate head coach on Lue's staff, if Lue had been hired.

Vogel, 45, who started as interim head coach for Pacers in 2011, was hired full time in 2012. He went on to lead Indiana to the playoffs five of six seasons. Pacers made it as far as the Eastern Conference finals twice (2013, 2014), where, ironically, it lost to James and Heat.

Vogel's contract was not renewed at the end of the 2015-16 season and he was quickly hired by Magic. He was fired by Magic at the end of the 2017-18 season after posting a 54-110 record.