Jamahl Mosley Sent a Clear Message After Joining the Pelicans

It didn’t take long for the New Orleans Pelicans to find their next head coach after hiring Jamahl Mosley to a five-year deal.

Mosley became available after the Orlando Magic fired him on May 4 after the team lost to the top-seed Detroit Pistons in Game 7 of the first round despite holding a 3-1 series lead.

His tenure with Orlando featured him leading the franchise to three straight playoff appearances, which likely played a role in the Pelicans’ decision to hire him.

“Jamahl has earned tremendous respect across the NBA for his leadership, professionalism, and the strong relationships he develops with players and staff,” Pelicans executive vice president Joe Dumars said in a statement via ESPN. “He has consistently demonstrated an ability to develop young talent while establishing teams that compete with toughness, discipline, and togetherness. His teams reflect his coaching style through their defensive intensity, effort, preparation, and commitment to playing the right way. Those qualities reinforce the long-term stability of a winning culture.”

The Pelicans are coming off back-to-back campaigns missing the playoffs after finishing this past season with a 26-56 record. Mosley will bring a steady presence that New Orleans believes will push them back toward playoff consistency.

The 47-year-old helped transform the Magic into a consistently playoff team, finishing second in Coach of the Year voting for the 2023-24 season. Before his arrival, Orlando hadn’t made the playoffs for three straight years since Dwight Howard last played for the franchise.

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Mosley will work with a young roster headlined by Zion Williamson, Dejounte Murray, Jordan Poole, and Trey Murphy III.