Nets assistant Steve Hetzel among finalists for Pelicans’ head coaching job: report

Steve Hetzel has helped Jordi Fernández shape the Nets’ coaching operation over the last two seasons. Now, that work is drawing interest elsewhere.

Hetzel is one of four finalists for the New Orleans Pelicans’ head coaching vacancy, according to The Athletic’s Sam Amick, joining Milwaukee associate head coach Darvin Ham, San Antonio associate head coach Sean Sweeney and Bucks coaching associate Rajon Rondo. Former Orlando Magic head coach Jamahl Mosley is also believed to be in the mix if he becomes available.

The development is notable given how recently the Nets doubled down on Fernández’s staff. Last month, owner Joe Tsai and general manager Sean Marks signed Fernández and his entire staff to multiyear extensions, an unusually broad show of confidence for a franchise coming off back-to-back 26- and 20-win seasons. Hetzel was part of that commitment.

Hetzel has served as Brooklyn’s Summer League head coach in each of the last two offseasons, and when Fernández was away from the team during the summer of 2024 preparing Team Canada for the Paris Olympics, Hetzel oversaw the Nets’ offseason development program. That kind of responsibility doesn’t get handed out lightly, and Hetzel has said he’s grown comfortable in Fernández’s system because of the freedom and trust built into the staff structure.

“Working for Jordi has been some of the most fun I’ve ever had,” Hetzel said. “The way he allows us as a staff to put our imprint on the team and have a voice. So, I feel comfortable speaking to the team directly with the amount that he gives us. … I feel very comfortable with his system and stepping in.”

He’s already had to do exactly that. When Fernández missed a December game against Milwaukee because of the flu, Hetzel stepped in and guided Brooklyn to a 127-82 win at Barclays Center, a result that tied the largest victory margin in franchise history.