It took longer than most Pelicans fans would have liked, but Joe Dumars and Troy Weaver finally found a head coach. According to ESPN’s Shams Charania, the New Orleans Pelicans have hired Jamahl Mosley to a five-year deal to be their new head coach.
BREAKING: The New Orleans Pelicans are hiring Jamahl Mosley as the franchise's new head coach on a five-year contract, sources tell ESPN. Mosley accepts the Pelicans job after five seasons in Orlando where he guided the Magic to three consecutive playoff berths. pic.twitter.com/MBjDpVG0ra
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) May 18, 2026
There are obviously going to be mixed reactions to this move from fans, but I wanted to focus on why I think this is a good decision. There will be valid concerns with Mosley, especially after he was just fired as the head coach of the Orlando Magic. But no coach is perfect.
There are a few reasons I really like this hire. First, Mosley has head coaching experience. I think most fans can agree that Willie Green did not work out as the Pelicans head coach. His lack of experience showed, and not in a good way. Mosley’s previous coaching experience will help him hit the ground running with a young, but talented Pelicans roster.
Fans won’t have to worry about Mosley needing to grow into the role or learn on the fly.
I know Rajon Rondo was a very popular candidate among fans, but this would have been one of the issues with hiring someone who was not a head coach before.
Mosley earned another head coaching opportunity
I also like this Mosley hire because his players never quit on him in Orlando. They suffered through injuries to impact players, but kept playing hard, especially on the defensive side of the ball.
The Magic earned the final spot in the playoffs this year with an impressive performance against the Charlotte Hornets.
While they would go on to lose to the number one seeded Detroit Pistons in seven games, the Magic had a very real chance at picking up the upset. They were up three games to one before Franz Wagner went down with an injury and missed the rest of the series. Had Wagner not been injured, Mosley may still be the Magic head coach.
Another reason I like the hiring of Mosley is he helped turn around a Magic team that had a similar roster to the Pelicans. Mosley’s first two seasons in Orlando were rough, with the team winning just 22 and 34 games, but they would improve drastically.
The Magic went on to make the playoffs in the following three seasons winning over 40 games each year.
During those first two seasons the Magic added Franz Wagner, Jalen Suggs and Paolo Banchero through the draft. They were young but had a lot of talent. They grew together under the tutelage of Mosley.
When I look at the Pelicans roster, I see a team with similar talent. You could argue the Pelicans are a little further along than the Magic were as Trey Murphy, Herb Jones Zion Williamson are now coming into the prime of their careers.
In addition, the Pelicans have solid veterans like Dejounte Murray and Saddiq Bey and very talented rookies who will be going into their second seasons in Jeremiah Fears and Derik Queen.
The talent in there on the Pelicans roster. Mosley took a young Magic roster and improved them to become a playoff team. The question is, can he do the same for the Pelicans?
Whether fans like it or not, the Jamahl Mosley era is starting in New Orleans. All we can do now is hope he can turn the Pelicans around and maximize their talent.
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