Jason Burgos
A new rumor reveals that a recently ousted head coach is the favorite to get the same opening with the Orlando Magic. And oddly enough, he was also hired for the job two decades ago.
After blowing a 3-1 lead in their opening round playoff matchup against the Detroit Pistons, Magic management decided that the team needed a new voice leading their locker room and bench in 2026-27. Yet, former head coach Jamahl Mosley won’t be easy to replace after leading the team’s turnaround into being a perennial playoff contender.
The organization has been linked to several veteran coaches to replace Mosely. However, according to NBA insider Jake Fischer, there appears to be a heavy favorite to land the job. “Coaching insiders across the league’s landscape are very much operating under the belief that former Bulls coach Billy Donovan has an excellent shot at landing the post.”
Fischer added that the former Chicago Bulls head coach was “in dialogue with Magic president Jeff Weltman and will have an in-person meeting with Orlando’s lead executive” soon. Donovan stepped down from his role with the Bulls last month, with a 31-51 finish and his fourth straight losing season in Chicago. He has a 469-413 record as a coach in the NBA.
The former Florida Gators coach was hired to be the Magic’s head coach in 2007 before he reneged on the deal and went back to the Gators. He would eventually make the jump to the NBA eight years later with the Oklahoma City Thunder.
Jeff Van Gundy is also a contender for Orlando Magic head coach job
While Donovan looks like a heavy favorite to be the Magic’s next head coach, it is not a done deal. Another veteran coach with a strong resume that Fischer claims is in the running for the job is former New York Knicks and Houston Rockets head coach Jeff Van Gundy.
He stepped away from coaching in 2007 and became a beloved on-air voice for the NBA on ESPN for many years. However, after 16 years, he was let go by the network in 2023. Since then, he has been an advisor for the Boston Celtics and is currently an assistant with the Los Angeles Clippers, where he has earned rave reviews.
Van Gundy has a 430-318 career record as a head coach. His peak came when he led the Knicks for seven seasons, leading them to the playoffs six times, including their last Finals trip in 1999.
