On Monday, the Orlando Magic hired current Spurs assistant Sean Sweeney as the team’s new head coach.
Sweeney, who will replace the recently fired Jamahl Mosley in Orlando, will continue with the Spurs through the NBA Finals. Before the 2025-26 campaign, he was an assistant coach with the Dallas Mavericks for four seasons (2021-25).
“We’re excited to welcome Sean (Sweeney) to the Orlando Magic family,” said Magic President of Basketball Operations Jeff Weltman in s statement. “Sean brings a tremendous work ethic and a high degree of intensity that set the tone for everything he does. Sean’s attention to detail and his ability to communicate and teach the game clearly stands out. He’s grounded in competitiveness and accountability, while also embracing a modern, creative approach to coaching.”
Prior to his tenure in Dallas, Sweeney spent three seasons as an assistant with the Detroit Pistons from 2018-21, following a four-year stint with the Milwaukee Bucks in the same role from 2014-18.
The 41-year-old Sweeney began his NBA career with the Brooklyn Nets in 2011, starting as a video coordinator before transitioning to an assistant coaching position for the 2013-14 season.
Orlando has a talented roster and could have easily made it to the second round after taking a 3-1 lead over the Pistons before falling in seven in the first round of the playoffs. They have a budding star in Paolo Banchero. Desmond Bane is a very good point guard. When healthy, Franz Wagner is a good player, and if Wagner had stayed healthy against the Pistons, the Magic, who were the eighth seed in the East, would probably have beaten Detroit. Furthermore, if they had a healthy Wagner, they probably would have had a better regular-season record, which could have helped them make a long playoff run.
This is a good job for Sweeney, but the expectations will be high. However, he can’t ask for a better way to start his career as a head coach in the NBA.
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