Former New Orleans Pelicans head coach Willie Green has officially landed a new job.
The Dallas Mavericks named Green as their lead assistant Wednesday.
Green’s hiring was first reported in July, but was solidified when the Mavericks announced their staff for first-year head coach Dusty May.
Green was fired by the Pelicans in November, 12 games into his fifth season in New Orleans. Green finished with a 150-190 record as Pels’ head coach. The team’s 49-33 record under Green in the 2023-’24 season tied for the second most wins in franchise history. But they followed that up with a 21-61 record, the second worst record in the team’s history.
Green isn’t the only player with ties to the Pelicans joining the Mavs’ staff.
Garrett Temple, a Baton Rouge native who played two seasons with the Pelicans from 2021-2023, will be an assistant. It will be the first coaching job for Temple, a former LSU standout who played 16 seasons in the NBA. Temple played the last three seasons with the Toronto Raptors.
NO.pelicanshornets.10525.09.jpg
New Orleans Pelicans head coach Willie Green signals to players during the first half of a basketball game against the Charlotte Hornets at the Smoothie King Center in New Orleans, Tuesday, Nov. 4, 2025. (Photo by Sophia Germer, The Times-Picayune)
The Pelicans’ first game against the Mavericks is Jan. 4 at the Smoothie King Center.