NEW ORLEANS (WVUE) – The New Orleans Pelicans introduced Jamahl Mosley as the team’s new head coach on Tuesday (May 26) at the team’s practice facility.
Pelicans owner Gayle Benson said the city of New Orleans deserves a championship-caliber team, and that is why Mosley is now the head coach. Mosley said the day is not about him but about the vision he and Joe Dumars have for the team moving forward.
Mosley emphasized the process and said the steps cannot be skipped. He repeatedly used the words accountability, communication, and habits, saying that these will help the team grow toward a championship.
Jamahl Mosley was officially introduced as the #Pelicans head coach today.
Appreciate him taking the time to chat with me one-on-one about his vision for the Pels, emphasizing great defensive play, and his message to the fan base that’s hungry for a winner. @FOX8NOLA pic.twitter.com/txErf27fnl
— Madeline Adams (@MadelineAdamsTV) May 27, 2026
Mosley was coaching the Orlando Magic in the playoffs a few weeks ago. He was fired after five years there and three consecutive trips to the postseason, but never got past the first round.
Mosley said the alignment he had with Dumars and Benson was all he needed to see to jump right back into coaching with the Pelicans.
“There was not one part of a conversation that felt what I didn’t believe in my core,” Mosley said. “The hard work, the communication, the vision, the defense, the consistent work ethic every day. And I think sitting with Troy and Jordan in one of the meetings, we talked a little bit about what does that take. And then it goes back to habits. What are our daily habits? And just like Joel said, we’re not skipping steps in any of those things. And that’s what made it easy to jump back in because of the people that are around you.”
Dumars said he did not have to convince Mosley to take the job.
Pelicans introduce Jamahl Mosley as head coach (full presser)
“I said to him, if I have to convince you to do this, then let’s not do it. You have to want to do this,” Dumars said. “So there was zero convincing. And matter of fact, I said that to every candidate. If I have to convince you to take the Pelicans job, it’s not the right job for you. And so, no, no convincing at all.”
Several young players attended the introduction, including Eve Misey, Derek Queen, Micah Peavy, and Hunter Dickinson. Saints General Manager Mickey Loomis and Head Coach Kellen Moore were also in the crowd. Moore and Mosley both served as assistant coaches in Dallas from 2019 to 2021.
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