Former Orlando Magic head coach Jamahl Mosley has issued a statement after he was fired by the team on Monday.
The team fired their head coach after the Magic lost 4-3 in the first round to the Detroit Pistons after blowing a 3-1 series lead, including a 22-point lead in Game 6, where the team pulled off one of the biggest choke jobs in NBA history. Immediately after losing the series, there was speculation online that Mosley would be fired, and that’s exactly what happened on Monday when the team relieved him of his duties. The Magic will now begin their search for the team’s next head coach.
Jamahl Mosley Issues Statement on Firing
In a statement to the media, Mosley reacted to being let go by the Magic after five years as the team’s head coach, including leading them to the playoffs the last three seasons.
“It has been an incredible five-plus years, and this organization and city will always mean so much to me and my family. In my heart, I truly hope that during our time here we were able to impact the players, staff, and the Magic organization in a meaningful and lasting way. I want to sincerely thank the DeVos family for the extraordinary opportunity to serve as head coach of the Orlando Magic. To our fans, there is nothing but love in my heart. The joy I had coaching this team, in this city, for the people who live here is something I will never forget. All I ever wanted was to make you proud to be Magic fans, and my journey here will certainly stay with me forever,” Mosley said, as relayed by ESPN’s Shams Charania.
It’s possible that Mosley won’t be out for work long, as there are already strong rumors that the New Orleans Pelicans will be interested in hiring him as their next head coach.
Magic in Search of Next Head Coach
The Magic are now searching for their next head coach, with some possible names already being floated out there by the media.
Former Chicago Bulls head coach Billy Donovan seems like a logical fit after he recently declined his option to return to Chicago for next season. Although the Bulls did not have much success during Donovan’s tenure there, he is still highly respected in the league, and the expectation is that he can have another head-coaching job in the NBA if he wants it. The Magic have an opening, and they will assuredly reach out to Donovan to at least gauge his interest in coming back to Florida, where he previously coached the Gators.
Otherwise, the Magic could consider possible coaching hires of James Borrego, Terry Stotts, Sean Sweeney, and Tom Thibodeau. All of these coaches have plenty of NBA experience and would be interesting hires for the Magic. The other option would be to look at the college basketball ranks and see if there is anyone out there who is interested in potentially moving up to the NBA.
With Mosley gone, look for the Magic to conduct a thorough search for the team’s next coach and hire them before the end of the month. With the 2026 NBA Draft and free agency soon approaching, the team will want to have their next leader in place before the offseason begins.
Jamahl Mosley Issues Statement After Being Fired by Magic