Pelicans expected to finalize head-coaching hire within days
pelicans-expected-to-finalize-head-coaching-hire-within-days
New Orleans — The Pelicans are on track to name their next head coach early this week, according to The Athletic’s Will Guillory.
League executives who attended last week’s draft combine told Marc Stein (The Stein Line) they believe the process has slowed as the club evaluates former Magic coach Jamahl Mosley. New Orleans has been connected to Mosley since at least November, and team officials are reportedly waiting to see whether he becomes their leading option.
Mosley, 47, was dismissed by Orlando a couple of weeks ago with two years remaining on his contract. He spent five seasons in charge of the Magic and logged 15 years as an NBA assistant before that.
Earlier this month, Rod Walker of NOLA.com listed Bucks coaching associate Rajon Rondo, Nets assistant Steve Hetzel, Bucks associate head coach Darvin Ham and interim Pelicans coach James Borrego as the primary candidates. Borrego closed the 2025/26 campaign after Willie Green was dismissed 12 games into the season.
Walker identified Rondo and Hetzel as early favorites, while a subsequent report from Jake Fischer indicated that Hetzel and Ham left strong impressions during interviews.
The search began when New Orleans confirmed its coaching vacancy at the end of the regular season.
Source: Hoops Rumors
