Add another name to the list of New Orleans Pelicans’ head coaching candidates.
A source close to the Pelicans' search said Monday morning that "there could be interest" in former Orlando Magic coach Jamahl Mosley.
Mosley was fired by the Magic on Monday after coaching there for five seasons.
The Magic’s season ended Sunday in the first round of the playoffs with a loss to the Detroit Pistons in Game 7. Orlando led the series 3-1 but was unable to pull off the upset against the top seed in the Eastern Conference. The series included a loss Friday night in Game 6 when the Magic scored just 19 points in the entire second half. Orlando was one win away from becoming just the seventh No. 8 seed to upset a No. 1 seed in the playoffs.
It wasn't enough for Mosley to keep his job.
"We're grateful to Jamahl for all he's done for the Orlando Magic," Magic president Jeff Weltman said in a statement. "We appreciate his leadership and the positive contributions he made as head coach. While this was a difficult decision, we feel it's time for a new voice and fresh perspective. We wish Jamahl and his family nothing but the best."
Mosley compiled a 189-221 record in Orlando. His teams missed the playoffs his first two seasons, but made it each of the past three seasons. Orlando was eliminated in the first round each time. The Magic won the Southeast Division twice under Mosley.
Mosley, 47, won his last nine games coaching against the Pelicans.
The Magic was one of the better defensive teams in the league under Mosley over the past three years. Orlando ranked third in the league in defense two seasons ago and second last season. It was 11th in defense this season when it finished 45-37.
Orlando won 21 games the season before Mosley took over, then won just 22 games in his first season, but the win total jumped to 47 by Year 3. The 47 victories were the franchise's most since the 2009-10 season.
"To our fans, there is nothing but love in my heart," Mosley said in a statement. "The joy I had coaching this team, in this city, for the people who live here is something I will never forget. All I ever wanted was to make you proud to be Magic fans, and my journey here will certainly stay with me forever.”
Prior to taking over in Orlando, Mosley was an assistant coach with the Cleveland Cavaliers, Denver Nuggets and Dallas Mavericks.
The Pelicans are looking for a head coach to replace Willie Green, who was fired 12 games into the season. James Borrego, the Pels interim head coach after Green was fired, is one of the four candidates considered front runners for the job.
The others are former All-Star guard Rajon Rondo, former Los Angeles Lakers head coach Darvin Ham and Brooklyn Nets assistant coach Steve Hetzel. All four of those candidates have interviewed for the job, sources confirmed to The Times-Picayune.
The Pelicans’ job is one of four openings right now. The Chicago Bulls, Portland Trail Blazers and the Magic are also looking for head coaches.