The Pelicans are searching for a new permanent head coach and the process will include James Borrego, who spent most of 2025/26 as the team’s interim head coach, report Marc Stein and Jake Fischer of The Stein Line (Twitter link).
The news doesn’t come as a major surprise, as Michael Scotto of HoopsHype previously reported that the Pelicans had several other candidates in mind aside from Borrego, including Darvin Ham and former Nets coach Kevin Ollie. Scotto added that current Magic head coach Jamahl Mosley has “several admirers” in New Orleans and could be a top candidate for the job if he’s let go by Orlando.
Fischer also reported last week that the Pelicans were mulling opening up a coaching search, citing Mosley, Borrego and Ham as possible candidates.
The Pelicans had a disappointing first season under the new front office regime, which is led by head of basketball operations Joe Dumars and general manager Troy Weaver. New Orleans fired former head coach Willie Green after the team got off to a 2-10 start, then went 24-46 under Borrego to finish out the season.
New Orleans’ 26-56 record was the third-worst win-loss percentage (.317) in franchise history, slightly ahead of 2024/25’s mark of 21-61. Former top executive David Griffin was fired after that campaign.
After dealing with a series of prolonged injury absences in ’24/25, the Pelicans had better luck on that front this season, with Zion Williamson (62 games), Trey Murphy III (66) and Herbert Jones (56) all playing far more often than they did a year ago (30, 53, and 20 appearances, respectively). The team also received solid contributions from lottery picks Jeremiah Fears and Derik Queen, who only missed one combined game, and trade acquisition Saddiq Bey.
However, Jordan Poole — who was acquired from Washington along with Bey — struggled mightily in his first season with the Pelicans, ’24/25 All-Rookie selection Yves Missi saw his minutes reduced in year two (he was drafted by Griffin), and Dejounte Murray was limited to just 14 appearances after tearing his Achilles tendon in January 2025.
Borrego, 48, was previously the Hornets’ head coach for four seasons (from 2018-22). He was New Orleans’ associate head coach for a little over a year prior to taking over for Green. Borrego has compiled a 172-222 (.429) win-loss record as an NBA head coach and is also believed to be on the Bucks’ radar.
Darvin Ham getting hired confirmed.
It’s gotta be near the end of the line for Poole, right?
It’s not his fault that Borrego didn’t play him – after he scored 20.5 ppg in 29.3 min/gm (59 TS%) for the Wizards last season, you’d think Borrego would have given him more of a chance.
It is Poole’s fault that Borrego didn’t play him. Last season doesn’t matter, everyone else in the depth chart except Jordan Hawkins outplayed him this particular season.
Borrego gave Fears the starts over Poole, and he was worse.
He’ll be fine. Even if he doesn’t get much playing time now, he could be extremely valuable as a sixth man on a playoff team.
Poole shot 37% from the field this season, and Borrego still played him 23min a game. When you only have one “skill” (volume shooting), and you do that poorly, the coach is going to sit you.
Poole is horrible you all. Wow
The team will be better when he is gone.
No effort or defense and that huge salary
PLEASE TAKE DONOVAN!
Amen…
Tough call. Overall, I thought that Borrego did a pretty good job as an interim. Like being a sustitute teacher, its the art of the possible. They had a couple of good stretches later in the year, but not sure if that’s enough. Dumars owns the next hire, so I’m guessing he goes in another direction.
I just want them to trade Zion, if they are not going to give him the ball when he is healthy to give it to Saddiq Bey and Derrick Queen, let him go somewhere he will get touches…
If Zion can continue to stay healthy, he could be a key piece somewhere else, especially with a contender. But, yes I do agree that they need to let him go. It’s obvious that they don’t know how to build around him. I could see him with Coop in Dallas, in Washington with Trae as his true pg and maybe even chase a ring with Steph.
Zion and Steph would be a gravity overload, would be fun to see for sure
I kinda want to see Zion on a winning team, to see what he can do but at this point anywhere seems better than NOLA