ORLANDO — For new Orlando Magic coach Sean Sweeney, the process of getting the job with the franchise was not an easy one.

Sweeney, who previously served as the associate head coach of the San Antonio Spurs, went through the hiring process with the Magic while simultaneously helping the Spurs to their first NBA Finals appearance since the 2013-14 season. For both Sweeney and the Magic, the process was challenging, but it ended in the desired result for both parties.

During Sweeney’s introductory press conference, Magic President of Basketball Operations Jeff Weltman talked about the challenges involving Sweeney's hiring while he was an active participant in the postseason with his former team.

"Yeah, every conversation," Weltman said. "You know, that we've had has started with, like, ‘Good time? You okay? You got a minute?’ You can imagine. I can't imagine, like, what he's had on his plate. And I thought it was so impressive, even through the interview process, the way he kind of was able to just focus on, you know, that long first interview that we had. 

"And as we've gone through the process, stayed away from him on game days, tried to limit time even on off days," Weltman added. "And let him kind of gather his thoughts. Obviously, he has a family to, you know, help through this process as well."

Sweeney and his family already had a transitional period during the summer of 2025 when he left his role as an assistant with the Dallas Mavericks to join Mitch Johnson’s staff with the Spurs. Now, he is making another significant career move that doubles as a transition for his family once again.

Weltman and the Magic’s front office have been supportive, but they are not discounting the importance of getting Sweeney acclimated as soon as possible. It has not been an issue, though, as Sweeney has been adamant about the process.

"And so, we're just trying to be supportive right now, let him have his space," Weltman said. "Now that he's here, now it starts. No more 'Do you have time?' So, but he's really been amazing at embracing, you know, 'No, no, let's go. Let's go. We got to get into this stuff.'

"And his eagerness and his intensity, even while I know there's a lot of other stuff going on in his life, that he's like, 'I don't even want to talk about that with you,'" Weltman added. "Like, let's talk about the matter at hand. I think that's like a really good harbinger of what's in front of us and his ability to focus and his natural intensity that I spoke about, I think is a really great foundational piece for the way that Sean communicates."

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