Magic hiring Spurs assistant Sean Sweeney as their new head coach

The Magic have chosen their next head coach.

Spurs associate coach Sean Sweeney is finalizing a deal to move to the Sunshine State after the conclusion of the postseason and join Orlando, according to multiple reports.

Sweeney beat out two other candidates for the position — former Bulls head coach Billy Donovan and Clippers assistant Jeff Van Gundy.

Sweeney has been coaching in the league since 2011, but this is his first head coaching job. 

In the past, he worked for the Nets, Bucks, Pistons and Mavericks before joining the Spurs this season. Sweeney played college basketball for both Green Bay and St.Thomas. 

Sweeney takes the reins over from Jamahl Mosley, who was fired after blowing a 3-1 series lead in the first round of the playoffs to the Pistons. Mosley built a strong foundation in Orlando, reaching the playoffs in three straight years but never getting past the first round. 

“We’re grateful to Jamahl for all he’s done for the Orlando Magic,” Magic president Jeff Weltman said in a statement after the firing. “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.”

After the firing, Mosley was quickly hired by the Pelicans.

Now, Sweeney is tasked with taking the core of Paolo Banchero, Franz Wagner and Desmond Bane past the first round of the playoffs. 

Sweeney is viewed as one of the best up-and-coming defensive minds and has played a key role in the Spurs’ long playoff run. Sweeney turned the 25th-best defense in the league into the third-best with a 108.5 defensive efficiency this season.

Sweeney was also able to fully harness Victor Wembanyama’s defensive abilities. He helped the forward become the first-ever unanimous winner of the Defensive Player of the Year award. 

Sweeney and the Spurs will head to Oklahoma City to face the Thunder in Game 7 on Saturday, hoping to reach the NBA Finals for the first time since 2014.