Owner Gayle Benson and Joe Dumars cite Jamahl Mosley’s defensive intensity and proven leadership as the keys to building a disciplined, winning culture for the Pelicans' future.
On Monday morning, news broke that the New Orleans Pelicans have hired Jamahl Mosley as the next head coach of their basketball team. A few hours later, the team announced the news themselves, making it officialy.
Mosley will now become the 10th head coach in the team's history, filling the shoes that Willie Green left. James Borrego did a respectable job as the interim for much of last year, but the decision makers ended up going in a different direction.
Previously the head coach of the Orlando Magic for the past five seasons, Mosley was let go just two weeks ago. He went 189-221 overall, but turned the franchise around and brought them to the playoffs for three straight seasons. He's a respected coach coming off a frustrating year.
In the team's official announcement of the hire, both team owner Gayle Benson and president of basketball operations Joe Dumars gave statements on the decision.
Benson has repeatedly given Dumars her full confidence to make the hire, and Dumars has been consistent about what he wants to see from his team. Both continued to be true in their latest quotes.
This is the full quote from Benson per the team's press release:
"We are thrilled to welcome Jamahl and his family to New Orleans. Joe Dumars led a thorough and comprehensive search to find the right leader for our team. He also identified the internal changes needed for organizational growth as we continue building a winning culture that our fans deserve. Jamahl is a proven winner and brings the type of leadership, accountability, and vision necessary to move our franchise forward."
Here is Dumars' statement:
"Jamahl has earned tremendous respect across the NBA for his leadership, professionalism, and the strong relationships he develops with players and staff... He has consistently demonstrated an ability to develop young talent while establishing teams that compete with toughness, discipline, and togetherness. His teams reflect his coaching style through their defensive intensity, effort, preparation, and commitment to playing the right way. Those qualities reinforce the long-term stability of a winning culture."
