The Orlando Magic found the man they wanted to lead the roster by hiring Sean Sweeney as the franchise’s 16th head coach, and it has the makings of being a strong professional marriage.

For Sweeney, this is the first time as a head coach after being a long-time assistant with various organizations, and it is a job he coveted in the same way the Magic coveted him. In a recent interview with WFTV Channel 9 following his introductory press conference on Thursday, Sweeney detailed his feelings surrounding his new position.

"Incredibly special," Sweeney said about earning his new role. "Very grateful to be here; very fortunate, and to have it be with the Magic and the job that I really wanted, I'm elated, excited about it."

Sweeney comes to Orlando following a one-year stint with the San Antonio Spurs as the associate head coach on Mitch Johnson’s staff. In his role, Sweeney was responsible for an elite defense and helping to get the Spurs to the NBA Finals for the first time in over a decade.

For Sweeney, there were several factors that made Orlando an attractive job for him.

"Well, starting with the DeVos family, how the ownership is," Sweeney said. "You know, when you talk to people around the league, this place is second to none from that standpoint. The front office is phenomenal. I have personal experience with a number of those guys, and through the interview process, got to learn more about how things are done here. And that excited me.

"The easiest thing to see is the roster," Sweeney added. "You know, when you're preparing for the Magic during the course of the last few years and really studying them on tape, that's exciting. And then lastly, the community. You know, Orlando, how can you not love being here? Central Florida is amazing."

Sweeney has experience with various stars across the multiple roles he has held as an assistant coach. Some of the league’s top players such as Giannis Antetokounmpo, Luka Doncic and Victor Wembanyama, and all of them have spoken highly of Sweeney. 

Now, the 42-year-old first-time head coach will inherit a roster with stars such as Paolo Banchero, Franz Wagner and Desmond Bane, which Sweeney is relishing.

"I'm excited, man," Sweeney said. "Once we knew that the job was ours, I could not wait. And I've been talking to those guys and already excited to get going with them."

As a result of being an assistant with both the Spurs and Dallas Mavericks, Sweeney has coached in the finals in two of the last three seasons, which has taught him about what it takes to reach and win at the highest level.

"Yeah, you know, your fundamentals really matter," Sweeney said. "Your habits really matter. Those are the things that carry you when the pressure is most. The discipline that you need is built in the summertime, in training camp, throughout the course of the regular season.

"Being a winner and committing to winning matters," Sweeney added. "And then when you're at that level, it's understanding that the pressure is earned, and get excited about playing when nobody else is playing."

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