Jamahl Mosley, Pelicans Agree to New HC Contract Following Rajon Rondo Rumors

The New Orleans Pelicans hired Jamahl Mosley as the team's next head coach on Monday.

Mosley previously served as head coach of the Orlando Magic from 2021-25. He was fired by the Magic after they finished the 2025-26 season with a 45-37 record and fell to the Detroit Pistons in the first round of the playoffs.

ESPN's Shams Charania first reported the news and noted the Pelicans "maintained consistent communication with Mosley since he was dismissed by the Magic on May 4 and the sides formally met in person last week at the NBA draft combine in Chicago."

New Orleans believes it shares some parallels to the situation Mosley inherited in Orlando in 2021.

Four-time All-Star and former point guard Rajon Rondo, former Los Angeles Lakers coach Darvin Ham and interim Pels coach James Borrego were among the other candidates who received an interview.

Mosley will now serve as the full-time replacement for Willie Green, who was fired on Nov. 15 once New Orleans started its 2025-26 campaign with a 2-10 record.

The Pelicans finished the year at 26-56.

New Orleans' decision to hire Mosley doesn't come as a large surprise, as NBA insider Jake Fischer previously reported that he was expected to draw interest from the Pelicans.

Mosley served as an assistant coach for three separate teams from 2006 through the 2020-21 season before taking over as Orlando's head coach. He compiled a record of 189-221 across his five years with the Magic, helping them make three playoff appearances.

Mosley will now be tasked with leading a Pelicans squad headlined by star forward Zion Williamson, who averaged 21.0 points and 5.7 rebounds per game while shooting 60.0 percent from the field during the regular season.

New Orleans is also looking for development within its young core that includes point guard Jeremiah Fears as well as centers Derik Queen and Yves Missi.

Fears particularly showed promise when given extended playing time as a rookie, averaging 14.3 points and 3.7 rebounds to go along with 3.4 assists on a nightly basis.

As the Pelicans attempt to build their way back towards the Western Conference postseason conversation, they'll now have Mosley patrolling the sidelines.