Willie Green fired: Who will replace the New Orleans Pelicans coach after the team’s 2-10 start?
The Pelicans have made a coaching change after a rough start to the season, leaving questions about who will lead the team next.
Willie Green has paid the price for the New Orleans Pelicans’ disastrous start to the season, with Joe Dumars, the franchise’s executive vice president, announcing his firing on Saturday morning.
“After careful evaluation, we have made the difficult decision to make a change at head coach,” Dumars said in a statement. “I have the utmost respect for Willie Green, and I’m sincerely appreciative of his contributions to the Pelicans organization and the New Orleans community.”
Borrego steps in as interim coach
James Borrego, who was Green’s assistant and interviewed for the New York Knicks head coach role in the offseason, has been named the Pelicans’ interim coach.
The general feeling is that Borrego is now the frontrunner to replace Green as permanent coach, although that will depend on how he fares in his interim spell. According to reports, the Pelicans will also interview other candidates if Borrego fails his audition.
Green’s tenure falls short of expectations
The 44-year-old was named head coach in July 2021. In his four full seasons, New Orleans reached the postseason twice but lost in the first round on both occasions. In 2024-25, the team finished fifth in the Southwest Division with a 21-61 record, and things continued in a similar vein this season, which they have begun 2-10.
As ESPN noted, the Pelicans became the first team in NBA history to lose three of their first six games by 30 points or more. They also allowed at least 120 points in their first five games of the season for the first time in franchise history.
Zion’s absence adds to early struggles
Their case in the early part of the season has not been helped by the absence of Zion Williamson, who has missed five games because of a hamstring injury. That said, the power forward did not play in either of New Orleans’ two victories so far, which came in back-to-back games against the Charlotte Hornets and the Dallas Mavericks.
Since then, the Pelicans have lost four games in a row, which has ultimately cost Green his job.
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