ORLANDO — Sean Sweeney is now the head coach of the Orlando Magic, and after a long line of assistant coaching roles, this is a first for the 42-year-old.

Sweeney comes to Orlando as a rookie head coach after assisting on various staffs since making his way into the NBA in 2011. Most recently, he spent the 2025-26 season with the San Antonio Spurs as the associate head coach, the highest role he has held so far.

Sweeney’s name picked up traction after the Magic made the decision to fire coach Jamahl Mosley following a first-round series playoff loss to the Detroit Pistons, and Sweeney was ultimately named to the position on June 1, two days before his 42nd birthday. 

Upon being hired, Sweeney remained with the Spurs through the NBA Finals, and San Antonio head coach Mitch Johnson praised Sweeney and expressed his happiness for his top assistant to get the job with the Magic. Johnson even complimented Sweeney by saying he was happy Sweeney was going to the Eastern Conference instead of remaining in the West.

For Sweeney, those words were significant.

"Well, it meant a lot coming from him," Sweeney said during his introductory press conference on Thursday. "Mitch is someone I owe a debt of gratitude to. In the short time that we worked together, how much he did for me. Very, very thankful for him, his leadership, and how he allowed the coaches on his staff to be their best selves. So, it meant a lot to me."

Additionally, Sweeney expressed gratitude for being coveted for different jobs before accepting his role with the Magic, and he was not concerned by the prospect of not getting a head coaching position. Rather, Sweeney knew that when the right opportunity came along, he had to be prepared.

"In terms of opportunities, I think this is something that has always stood out to me, is your job is to be ready for them when they come," Sweeney said. "And if the right one comes, you've got to be ready for it.

 "And I was fortunate this summer to have some different things to look at, but this is the only one I wanted to look at," he added. "So, no, I was not worried, but I did want to make sure that I was ready."

Now, Sweeney is prepared to lead the players who make up the roster, whether the front office chooses to make any changes or not, and he will only be as involved in that process as it wants him to be.

"Whatever Jeff [Weltman] tells me," Sweeney said, jokingly. "No, listen, I'm excited about what we have here. There's a lot of guys that are talented. Clearly, there's been a roster put together here that has shown the ability to win.

"It's my job to take what has been given here to me and do the best job I can, and we as a coaching staff will do that," he added. "But this is a partnership. I'm here because of him and I'm grateful for that. So, whatever he tells me to do, that's what I do."

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