Magic Finalizes 2026/27 Coaching Staff
magic-finalizes-2026-27-coaching-staff
The Orlando Magic have completed their bench for the 2026/27 campaign, announcing nine assistant coaches under newly hired head coach Sean Sweeney.
The assistants are Joe Prunty, Greg Buckner, Popeye Jones, Tom Bialaszewski, Riley Crean, Jon Harris, Ben Johnson, Jacqlyn Poss and Mfon Udofia.
Two staff members will carry dual responsibilities. DJ Bakker joins as assistant coach/director of player development, while Shannan Lum becomes assistant coach/director of coaching operations.
Orlando also expanded its basketball operations group, naming Curtis Lewis head video coordinator and Nicholas Russo manager of basketball strategy.
Veteran presence on the bench
Prunty, the most seasoned member of the staff, entered the NBA in 1996 with San Antonio and has since logged stops in Dallas, Portland, Cleveland, Brooklyn, Phoenix and Milwaukee. He owns a 25-17 record as an interim or acting head coach across three separate seasons. Prunty remained with the Magic after serving as lead assistant to former head coach Jamahl Mosley, who was dismissed and later hired by New Orleans.
Buckner and Jones both bring playing experience and lengthy coaching résumés. Buckner spent the past two seasons on Milwaukee’s bench after working as associate head coach in Cleveland. Jones arrives from Dallas, where he was an assistant in 2025/26, following earlier stints in Denver and Indiana.
Data meets coaching
Poss transitions back to coaching after more than three years as the Magic’s senior data scientist in basketball operations. A former college and professional player, she previously served as an assistant at the University of St. Thomas from 2018 to 2021.
The newly formed staff will assemble for training camp ahead of the 2026/27 season.
Source: Hoops Rumors
