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Jent, who spent two seasons in the NBA and was a member of the 1994 champion Houston Rockets, became a Magic assistant this season. Though he has no head coaching experience at the pro level, Jent was promoted over assistant Paul Westhead, who coached the Los Angeles Lakers to the 1980 title and later coached the Denver Nuggets.
"Certainly we looked at all our options," Weisbrod said. "I thought that Chris was a stronger departure, stylistically, from what Johnny was. I think Paul would have been closer to the same."
Weisbrod said any search for a permanent replacement will wait until the end of the season, but added that the 35-year-old Jent is the "crown jewel of our staff."
"I think the timeline is obviously accelerated and the circumstances are extremely difficult -- and that part will be a hardship -- but I think he's an extremely bright guy and he knows the players," Weisbrod added