Pelicans Open Coaching Search, Interim Coach Borrego in Mix

New Orleans will consider James Borrego for full-time job after he took over as interim coach midseason.

Apr. 14, 2026 at 2:03am

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting a basketball coaching scene, with sharp, overlapping planes of color representing the strategic and tactical decisions involved in leading an NBA team.The Pelicans' coaching search aims to find the right strategic vision and leadership to guide the team back to the playoffs.New Orleans Today

The New Orleans Pelicans have officially opened their head coaching search for the 2023-24 season, with interim coach James Borrego emerging as a candidate to keep the job full-time. Borrego took over as interim coach after the team fired Willie Green during the season, and he has earned respect from the front office and players. The Pelicans will also consider other options, including potentially Jamahl Mosley of the Orlando Magic if he becomes available.

Why it matters

The Pelicans' coaching search will be a key offseason decision as they look to build on a 26-56 season and return to playoff contention in the Western Conference. Borrego's performance as interim coach could give him an inside track, but the team may also look to bring in an established head coach to lead the team forward.

The details

After firing Willie Green during the 2022-23 season, the Pelicans turned to James Borrego as their interim head coach. Borrego, who has previous head coaching experience with the Charlotte Hornets, has earned respect from the Pelicans' front office and players during his time as the interim. While his future with the team is uncertain, the Pelicans will consider him as a candidate for the full-time job. The team is also expected to consider other options, including potentially Jamahl Mosley of the Orlando Magic if he becomes available after the Magic's season ends.

  • The Pelicans concluded the 2022-23 season with a 26-56 record.
  • James Borrego took over as the Pelicans' interim head coach during the 2022-23 season after the team fired Willie Green.

The players

James Borrego

The Pelicans' interim head coach who is a candidate to keep the job full-time after taking over midseason.

Willie Green

The former Pelicans head coach who was fired during the 2022-23 season.

Jamahl Mosley

The current head coach of the Orlando Magic, who the Pelicans may consider if he becomes available.

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What they’re saying

“BREAKING: The Pelicans, after concluding a 26-56 season, will open a coaching search that includes interim coach James Borrego as a candidate, league sources tell [Jake Fischer] and me. New Orleans joins Milwaukee on the list of NBA teams that has commenced a coaching search.”

— Marc Stein, NBA Insider

“Although Splitter's future, and that of the Trail Blazers as a whole, under new owner Tom Dundon is unclear, Borrego has earned a lot of respect from the Pelicans' front office and the roster as a whole. While he may not return as the head coach of the team, there is a strong reason to believe team governor Gayle Benson and EVP Joe Dumars will keep Borrego around in a different role.”

— Brett Siegel, NBA Writer

What’s next

The Pelicans will continue their coaching search in the coming weeks, with a decision on the full-time head coach expected before the start of the 2023-24 NBA season.

The takeaway

The Pelicans' coaching search will be a critical offseason decision as they look to build on a disappointing 26-56 season and return to playoff contention in the Western Conference. Interim coach James Borrego has earned respect from the organization, but the team may also look to bring in an established head coach to lead the team forward.