The Orlando Magic are searching for a new head coach after firing Jamahl Mosley. President Jeff Weltman believes the team's young talent makes the coaching position attractive to candidates.
Key points
Orlando Magic are searching for a new head coach.
Jamahl Mosley was fired after five years.
The team has young talented players like Paolo Banchero.
Jeff Weltman believes the coaching job is attractive.
The Magic have experienced three consecutive first-round playoff exits.
Mentioned in this story
Orlando MagicJeff WeltmanJamahl Mosley
Paolo BancheroFranz WagnerDesmond BaneJalen Suggs
Although Magic president of basketball operations Jeff Weltman didn’t dive into the details of what he’s looking for when hiring Orlando‘s next head coach, he did share that the franchise has already heard from “a great number of candidates.”
But the Magic have only gotten so far in the playoffs, coming off three consecutive first-round exits. It’s part of the reason Weltman fired Jamahl Mosley earlier this week after his five years at the helm.
“One of the things that you have to do is assess; is your job attractive? And I do think our job is attractive,” Weltman said Monday. “I think that people look at us as a young, growing, forward-moving team with talent, chemistry, fit and a defensive backbone.
“So, I hope that that’s the case,” he added. “I think that that’s the case.”
With that in mind, here’s a look at potential names to know in the Magic search:
The vets
Billy Donovan: If there’s one name that’s received the most chatter entering this search, it’s Donovan. The former Florida Gators coach stepped down recently after six years in Chicago, and he made the most out of his roster limitations with the . Donovan, 60, had more postseason success with the Thunder, where his teams made the playoffs all five years (2015-20). He’s widely respected around the league and brings experience with him. Donovan, who famously accepted the Magic job in 2007 before returning to Gainesville, has a 469-413 overall record in 11 seasons as an NBA coach.
Q&A
Who are the top candidates for the Orlando Magic head coach position?
The article mentions that the Magic have heard from a great number of candidates, but specific names are not detailed.
Why did the Orlando Magic fire Jamahl Mosley?
Jamahl Mosley was fired after the team experienced three consecutive first-round playoff exits during his five-year tenure.
What qualities is Jeff Weltman looking for in the next Magic coach?
Weltman is looking for a coach who can work with the team's young, talented roster and help them progress further in the playoffs.
How does the Magic's roster influence the coaching search?
The presence of young stars like Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner makes the coaching position attractive, as the team is seen as a growing and talented unit.
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Tom Thibodeau: The former Bulls, Timberwolves and most-recently Knicks coach has been out of a job since New York fired him after last year’s trip to the Eastern Conference Finals, but is “very interested in a comeback,” at age 68, according to Sam Amick of The Athletic. Thibodeau is believed to be interested in the Magic job, and he could help build upon the team’s defensive identity developed under Mosley. Thibodeau’s style to lean heavily on his starters, however, might not make sense for a roster that’s been plagued by injury as of late. He has a 578-420 overall record in 13 seasons as an NBA coach.
Mike Budenholzer: Of three names in this section, Budenholzer is the only one to have captured an NBA championship, and he did so as recently as five years ago in Milwaukee. A two-time coach of the year, Budenholzer was fired, however, after just one season in Phoenix last summer. Although he didn’t have success with the Suns, Budenholzer is known for his offensive success both with the Bucks and previously the Hawks. He’s also developed a reputation to hold players accountable and not play favorites. He has a 520-363 overall record in 11 years as an NBA coach.
The assistants
Sam Cassell: A three-time NBA champion during his 15-year playing career, Cassell has served as an assistant coach for almost two decades. With Boston the last three years under coach Joe Mazzulla, Cassell has spent time with the Sixers (2020-23), the Clippers (2014-20) and the Wizards (2009-14). Cassell played at Florida State University and was selected in the first round by the Houston Rockets in the 1993 draft. He went on to also play for the Suns, Mavericks, Nets, Bucks, Timberwolves, Clippers and Celtics. He’s shown his ability to make strong connections and relate to players as an assistant coach.
Chris Quinn: The longest tenured assistant coach on Eric Spoelstra’s staff in Miami, Quinn has interviewed for multiple NBA openings the past few years and is viewed as a key cog to Heat player development. The Ohio native spent six years in the league playing for the Heat, Nets, Spurs and Cavaliers (2006-13) before getting into coaching as an assistant for Miami’s G League affiliate, the Sioux Falls Skyforce. Quinn has coached under Spoelstra since 2015 and was promoted to associate head coach in 2024.
Sean Sweeney: Reportedly a finalist for the New Orleans Pelicans job and at the same time a key name to know in the Bulls coaching search, Sweeney is currently serving as the associate head coach for Mitch Johnson of the Spurs. Sweeney previously spent four seasons as an assistant coach in Dallas (2021-25), three as an assistant in Detroit (2018-21) and four as an assistant in Milwaukee (2014-18). He began his time in the NBA as a video coordinator with the Nets in 2011 and later served as an assistant there for one season (2013-14). Sweeney could be hired by the time the Magic make a decision, but he’s regarded as a top assistant around the league.
The college coaches
Dusty May: May guided Florida Atlantic University to the Final Four in 2023, and he’s fresh off winning a national championship in just his second season at Michigan. Although might be unlikely he would leave the Wolverines, the Magic are believed to be “admirers of Michigan’s Dusty May and would have a level of interest if he were indeed available,” according to Marc Stein of The Stein Line. May has a 190-82 overall record in eight years as a college coach.
Todd Golden: Didn’t the Magic already try to hire away a championship coach from Gainesville once before? Yes, but Golden is different. The 40-year-old has been massively successful early in his coaching career and is believed to be interested in one day coaching in the NBA. Yahoo Sports reported last month that the Warriors could purse Golden if longtime coach Steve Kerr departs the organization. Golden, who coached at the University of San Francisco before the Gators, has a 160-77 overall record in seven years as a college coach.
Nate Oats: Similar to the other college coaches here, Oats has had a ton of success in a short amount of time. He guided the University at Buffalo to three NCAA Tournament appearances in his four years there (2015-19) and that has carried over to the University of Alabama, where he’s coached since 2019. The Crimson Tide has made the Big Dance the past six seasons with a Final Four appearance in 2024.
Other possible names
In no particular order: Micah Nori (Timberwolves assistant), Johnnie Bryant (Cavaliers assistant), Jon Scheyer (Duke), James Borrego (New Orleans interim), Terry Stotts (longtime Trailblazers coach, current Warriors assistant), Jarrett Jack (Pistons assistant coach), Rajon Rondo (Bucks coaching associate, two-time NBA champion as player).
