Former Lakers Coach Among Leading Options for Pelicans Head Coaching Job

Darvin Ham, James Borrego, Kevin Ollie, and Jamahl Mosley are candidates to lead the Pelicans after a 26-56 season.

Apr. 14, 2026 at 5:56am

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A fractured, geometric painting in bold colors depicting the action and energy of a basketball game, with players and the court broken down into sharp, overlapping planes, conveying the intensity of the Pelicans' coaching search.A cubist interpretation of the high-stakes coaching search for the New Orleans Pelicans, as they look to find the right leader to guide their talented roster back to the playoffs.New Orleans Today

The New Orleans Pelicans have launched a coaching search that includes several candidates, including former Los Angeles Lakers head coach Darvin Ham, interim coach James Borrego, and potentially Orlando Magic head coach Jamahl Mosley and former Brooklyn Nets interim coach Kevin Ollie.

Why it matters

The Pelicans are looking to turn around a disappointing 26-56 season and find the right head coach to lead their talented roster, including star players Zion Williamson and Brandon Ingram, back to the playoffs.

The details

According to reports, the Pelicans' coaching search includes Darvin Ham, James Borrego, Kevin Ollie, and potentially Jamahl Mosley. Ham, the former Lakers head coach, stands out as an intriguing option after leading Los Angeles to the playoffs in his two seasons at the helm. Borrego is the current interim coach, while Ollie has previous NBA head coaching experience with the Nets. Mosley, the Orlando Magic's head coach, is also on the Pelicans' radar, though he remains under contract with the Magic.

  • The Pelicans' coaching search began following their 26-56 season in 2026.

The players

Darvin Ham

A former NBA player and assistant coach, Ham served as the head coach of the Los Angeles Lakers from 2022 to 2024, leading them to the playoffs in both seasons.

James Borrego

The current interim head coach of the New Orleans Pelicans, Borrego is one of the candidates being considered for the permanent head coaching position.

Kevin Ollie

A former NBA player, Ollie most recently served as the interim head coach of the Brooklyn Nets.

Jamahl Mosley

The current head coach of the Orlando Magic, Mosley is also reportedly on the Pelicans' radar for their head coaching vacancy.

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What they’re saying

“The Pelicans have also maintained long-term interest in Orlando Magic head coach Jamahl Mosley, though he remains under contract and is currently preparing his team for a Play-In matchup in Philadelphia.”

— Michael Scotto, HoopsHype Reporter

The takeaway

The Pelicans' coaching search highlights the team's desire to find the right leader to guide their talented roster back to the playoffs after a disappointing 26-56 season. The candidates, including former Lakers coach Darvin Ham and interim coach James Borrego, bring a range of NBA head coaching experience that could help the Pelicans turn things around.