By Jim Carchidi
May 26, 2026
Three weeks after the Orlando Magic’s postseason ended, efforts to fill the head coaching position and the buzz surrounding the process are gaining momentum. Comments from the team president indicated an open range of options while posts by NBA reporters and one confirmed interview are fueling speculation about a narrowing list of names.
An end and a beginning
Orlando Magic president of basketball operations Jeff Weltman speaks to the media on May 4.
Jamahl Mosley's five years as Magic head coach ended the day after the team marked a third consecutive year of first-round postseason exits. During a May 4 press conference, Orlando Magic president of basketball operations Jeff Weltman refrained from placing the blame on Mosley alone, labeling the issues as an “organizational matter” and declaring it was “time for a new perspective.” He also refrained from limiting the standards by which the head coaching position would be filled.
“I don’t want to kind of come to it with any preconceived non-negotiables.” he said. “There are some really talented young guys out there that haven’t gotten a chance yet.”
Despite the lack of official comments from the team, insider reports point to an emerging short list of possibilities.
Jeff Van Gundy
Weltman’s “talented young guys” statement is not precluding the consideration of experienced head coaches. The Orlando Sentinel reported last week that a league source confirmed Los Angeles Clippers assistant coach Jeff Van Gundy, brother of former Magic coach Stan Van Gundy, has interviewed for the position.
Van Gundy served 10 years as a head coach, building teams on defense with an emphasis on fundamentals. He led the New York Knicks from 1996-2002 with a regular-season record of 248-172 and six consecutive playoff appearances. He also led the Houston Rockets from 2003-2007 with a 182-146 regular-season record and three postseason runs.
Billy Donovan
Donovan’s 11 years as an NBA head coach includes one day with the Orlando Magic. After leading the Florida Gators to back-to-back NCAA Championship titles, Donovan accepted a 2007 head coaching offer from the Magic before deciding to stay with the Gators the following day.
He served five seasons with the Oklahoma City Thunder and six with the Chicago Bulls. The latter ended last month when Donovan stepped down after a front office overhaul that followed a 31-51 season. His reputation for adaptability coupled with an ability to maximize talent and develop strong player relationships make him a frontrunner for the Orlando job in the eyes of several analysts.
Sean Sweeney
San Antonio Spurs associate head coach Sean Sweeney has been named by league insiders including Marc Stein as a strong candidate to coach the Magic.
Sweeney served as Dallas Mavericks defensive coordinator from 2021 to 2025, improving their defensive ranking from 21st to 7th in his first season and helping lead the team to the 2024 NBA Finals. He brings the same defensive emphasis to San Antonio along with a focus on player development.
Jason Kidd
In the hours after Mosley's firing, Boston Celtics assistant coach Sam Cassell and Minnesota Timberwolves assistant coach Micah Nori were among the early speculative considerations. But former Dallas Mavericks head coach Jason Kidd could be a late but relevant addition.
Since his dismissal in the wake of Masai Ujiri taking over as Mavericks president, a Sports Illustrated article noted Kidd’s “expertise and championship experience as a player could help guide Orlando in the right direction.” His five-year record in Dallas was 205-205 and the team made an NBA Finals appearance in 2024.
NBA legend and former Orlando Magic star Shaquille O’Neal seems to agree, saying Kidd should be considered for the Magic job during a recent "Inside the NBA" episode.
The competition
As the Magic’s search continues, Mosley is settling in as head coach of the New Orleans Pelicans with a few friends from Orlando. Former Magic assistant coaches Dale Osbourne, Bret Brielmaier, and God Shammgod followed Mosley to New Orleans. A new head coach would bring in a new staff, so the assistant coaching departures are not unexpected. But the clock is ticking as the Mavericks, Bulls, and Portland Trailblazers are also on the head coaching hunt and the 2026 NBA Draft is less than a month away.
Stay tuned for more updates.
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About the Author
Jim Carchidi is an Orlando journalist and photographer with previous work at the Orlando Sentinel and Orlando Business Journal. He covers development, arts, culture, and local stories for The Orlando Real.
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