{"id":719369,"date":"2026-04-27T11:21:15","date_gmt":"2026-04-27T11:21:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/719369\/"},"modified":"2026-04-27T11:21:15","modified_gmt":"2026-04-27T11:21:15","slug":"rajon-rondo-reportedly-in-the-mix-for-an-nba-head-coaching-job","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/719369\/","title":{"rendered":"Rajon Rondo reportedly in the mix for an NBA head coaching job"},"content":{"rendered":"

Rajon Rondo<\/a> spent a season as a player in The Big Easy \u2014 could he return years later to lead the franchise?<\/p>\n

According to reporting by veteran NBA reporters Marc Stein and Jake Fischer<\/a>, Rondo is under consideration to be the next head coach of the New Orleans Pelicans. In fact, the former Kentucky guard has already been interviewed for the position.<\/p>\n

\u201cLeague sources say Rondo has been interviewed for the post after serving as a special assistant on Doc Rivers\u2019 Milwaukee staff,\u201d Stein wrote. \u201cRondo is said to have felt his first coaching itch while recovering from a torn ACL as a Boston Celtic, prompting Brad Stevens to bring him into staff meetings.\u201d<\/p>\n

The Pelicans currently have an interim head coach, James Borrego, filling the head coaching role after the previous head coach, Willie Green, was fired in November. <\/p>\n

San Antonio’s Sean Sweeney and former All-Star guard Rajon Rondo are among the candidates to emerge in New Orleans’ coaching search, league sources tell @JakeLFischer<\/a> and me.<\/p>\n

Just one example of the MANY topics tackled in this Sunday Best compilation of around-the-league Intel:\u2026 pic.twitter.com\/F5LNYI0rGm<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) April 26, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

Rondo, 40, has no formal experience as an assistant or head coach at the college or NBA level, but he recently filled in as a guest coach for the Milwaukee Bucks in the 2024-25 preseason. This new reporting indicates he is a serious candidate for the job in New Orleans, where he would have the opportunity to coach the likes of Zion Williamson, Derik Queen, Trey Murphy III, Jeremiah Fears, and others. The Pelicans have not won more than 26 games in either of the last two seasons. <\/p>\n

San Antonio\u2019s Sean Sweeney, Milwaukee\u2019s Darvin Ham, and Brooklyn\u2019s Steve Hetzel, along with Borrego, are also reportedly among the other candidates. <\/p>\n

A native of Louisville, Rondo spent two seasons at Kentucky (2004-06), where he averaged 11.2 points, 6.1 rebounds, and 4.9 assists per game as a sophomore. He was the 21st overall pick in the 2006 NBA Draft and went on to enjoy a 16-year pro career with nine different franchises \u2014 including one season on the Pelicans alongside Anthony Davis<\/a> and DeMarcus Cousins<\/a>. He was best known for his time with the Boston Celtics as a four-time All-Star. Rondo also won a pair of championships, one with the Celtics (2008) and another with the Lakers (2020). <\/p>\n

Ever since retiring in 2024, Rondo has spent most of his time as a basketball dad (with some flag football mixed in there, too<\/a>). His son, Pierre Rondo, is arguably the top eighth grader in the state of Kentucky, playing varsity for North Oldham<\/a> in 2025-26. Pierre was North Oldham\u2019s most productive player during the Mustangs\u2019 run to the Sweet 16 this past season. Rajon was in attendance at Rupp Arena to watch his son play in the tournament. <\/p>\n

But Rondo\u2019s next chapter in life could take him into coaching. Will that be with the Pelicans as a head coach? <\/p>\n