TITLE: Pelicans Fire Head Coach Willie Green; James Borrego Steps in as Interim
SLUG: pelicans-fire-head-coach-willie-green-james-borrego-interim
CONTENT:
The New Orleans Pelicans dismissed head coach Willie Green on Saturday, the club announced, installing lead assistant James Borrego as interim coach effective immediately.
NBA insider Chris Haynes first reported the move on social media, and the team later released a formal statement. Executive vice president of basketball operations Joe Dumars said the decision followed “careful evaluation” of the franchise’s 2–10 start, which includes four consecutive losses and last place in the Western Conference.
“I have the utmost respect for Willie Green, and I’m sincerely appreciative of his contributions to the Pelicans organization and the New Orleans community,” Dumars said. “We wish him and his family all the best in the future.”
Team owner Gayle Benson emphasized that Dumars had full authority over basketball operations. “My expectation is to be a winning team that competes for championships, and I remain steadfast in our commitment to building a championship-caliber organization,” she noted in the statement.
Green’s Tenure
Green, 44, was hired before the 2021-22 season. New Orleans improved each of his first three years, posting records of 36-46, 42-40 and 49-33 and reaching the playoffs twice, falling in the first round both times. Injuries derailed the 2024-25 campaign, leading to a 21-61 finish. Dumars, hired after that season, opted to retain Green over the summer before the club’s slow start prompted Saturday’s change.
Borrego Takes the Helm
Borrego, 47, has prior head-coaching experience. He served as Orlando’s interim coach in 2014-15 and led Charlotte from 2018 to 2022, compiling a 148-183 career record. Earlier this month, league insider Marc Stein reported that New Orleans kept Borrego as lead assistant in anticipation of a possible transition and even declined a request from the Knicks to interview him for Mike Brown’s staff.
Borrego will guide the Pelicans on an interim basis while the organization evaluates long-term options.
Source: Hoops Rumors
