NEW ORLEANS — The New Orleans Pelicans have appointed Jamahl Mosley, who previously coached the Orlando Magic, as their new head coach. This decision marks the end of the interim period for James Borrego, who was in consideration for the permanent position, according to an insider familiar with the matter who spoke to The Associated Press on Monday.
The source requested anonymity since the official announcement of Mosley’s hiring has not yet been made.
Mosley makes his way to New Orleans after a five-year stint with the Orlando Magic. His tenure concluded following the team’s elimination in the first round of the playoffs by the Detroit Pistons, despite having held a 3-1 series lead and a significant 24-point advantage in Game 7.
Throughout his time with Orlando, Mosley amassed a record of 189-221. Under his guidance, the team reached the NBA playoffs in the last three seasons and secured the Southeast Division title twice, although they faced first-round exits each time.
Mosley went 189-221 with Orlando. His teams qualified for the NBA playoffs in each of the past three seasons and won the Southeast Division twice, but were eliminated in the first round each time.
Borrego was the Pelicans’ interim coach for 70 games, taking over a 2-10 team after the firing of Willie Green.
In what was his second interim job and third chance overall to lead a staff, Borrego went 24-46 with the Pelicans, who missed the postseason for a second straight season.
Borrego also had coached the Charlotte Hornets from 2018 to 2022. His teams earned Eastern Conference play-in spots in 2021 and 2022, but did not advance to the NBA playoffs in either of those seasons.
When the 2025-26 regular season ended, Borrego said he wanted to remain in the job on a permanent basis, and said he was confident that with a full offseason in charge, he could put a more consistent winner on the court.
Pelicans basketball operations chief Joe Dumars said Borrego was indeed a candidate for the job, but that he would also look “outside the building” for his next coach.