NBA: Pelicans hire Jamahl Mosley as head coach

The New Orleans Pelicans have named former Orlando Magic coach Jamahl Mosley as their new head coach, the team announced Monday, marking another major change for the franchise following a disappointing 2025-26 NBA season.

According to ESPN, Mosley agreed to a five-year contract with New Orleans, although the team did not disclose the length of the deal in its official announcement.

Mosley becomes the 10th head coach in Pelicans franchise history since the organization entered the NBA as an expansion team in 2002.

The 47-year-old replaces Willie Green, who was dismissed on Nov. 15 after the Pelicans opened the season with a 2-10 record. Former Charlotte Hornets coach James Borrego served as interim coach for the remainder of the season.

“Jamahl has earned tremendous respect across the NBA for his leadership, professionalism, and the strong relationships he develops with players and staff,” Pelicans executive vice president of basketball operations Joe Dumars said in a team statement.

“He has consistently demonstrated an ability to develop young talent while establishing teams that compete with toughness, discipline, and togetherness. His teams reflect his coaching style through their defensive intensity, effort, preparation, and commitment to playing the right way.”

Mosley previously spent four seasons as head coach of the Orlando Magic after being hired ahead of the 2021-22 campaign. Following two losing seasons, Orlando reached the playoffs in each of the past three years but failed to advance beyond the first round.

He was fired on May 4, one day after the Magic were eliminated by the Detroit Pistons in a seven-game first-round playoff series. Orlando had held a 3-1 series lead before losing the final three games.

Mosley finished his tenure in Orlando with a 189-221 regular-season record and a 7-12 mark in the postseason.

Under Green, the Pelicans compiled a 150-190 record over five seasons. New Orleans posted a 49-33 finish during the 2023-24 season and secured the No. 8 seed in the Western Conference before being swept in the opening round by the Oklahoma City Thunder. The team then dropped to 21-61 the following season.

ESPN also reported that Darvin Ham, Steve Hetzel, and Borrego interviewed for the Pelicans coaching vacancy.

The Magic have yet to announce a replacement for Mosley.

—Field Level Media/Reuters