Next Orlando Magic Coach If Jamahl Mosley Fired: Mike Malone Among Top Candidates

The Orlando Magic came into the 2025-26 NBA season with high expectations after sending four first-round picks to the Memphis Grizzlies in exchange for shooting guard Desmond Bane. The Magic are off to a slow 1-4 start to the season and some fans are already calling for head coach Jamahl Mosley to be fired. Whether the Magic decide to bring in a head coach with NBA Finals experience or opt for a splash hire, there are several worthy candidates who could help get Orlando’s current roster over the hump. 

Mike Malone Would Be A Perfect Fit In Orlando

If the Magic want to hire a coach who has an NBA title on their resume, Mike Malone might be the perfect fit in Orlando. 

Malone led the Denver Nuggets to an NBA title in 2023 and built the franchise into perennial contenders. Under Malone’s guidance, Denver finished with a winning record for seven consecutive seasons before he was fired. He helped turn Nikola Jokić from a quirky big man into back-to-back MVP and forged a defense that stymied opponents in the playoffs. 

Malone’s blunt, no-excuses style would demand accountability from Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner, two stars who have flashed brilliance but occasionally drift in big moments. His Nuggets teams also thrived in the half court, a blueprint Orlando’s clogged spacing desperately needs. 

Budenholzer Could Help Unlock Banchero, Wagner Duo

Known for his creativity on offense, Mike Budenholzer would bring instant credibility to a young Magic team still learning how to win consistently. The 2021 NBA champion and two-time Coach of the Year turned both Atlanta and Milwaukee into top-tier contenders, emphasizing spacing, ball movement, and defensive discipline.

Budenholzer’s system thrives on pace and floor balance, two areas Orlando continues to struggle with on offense. His motion-heavy scheme would be a near-perfect fit for Bane’s perimeter shooting, Wagner’s versatility and Banchero’s playmaking.

During his tenure with the Bucks, Budenholzer’s teams ranked among the league leaders in both offensive and defensive efficiency. He also has experience developing young players into future superstars, helping Giannis Antetokounmpo evolve into a two-time MVP. 

For a franchise trying to bridge the gap from potential to production, Budenholzer offers is a proven winner who has a history of building sustainable success around a young core.

Terry Stotts Would Help Modernize The Magic Offense

If Orlando wants to modernize its offense, Terry Stotts would make a lot of sense. Stotts spent nearly a decade in Portland, guiding the Blazers to eight straight playoff appearances and developing one of the NBA’s most consistent offenses around Damian Lillard and CJ McCollum.

His teams thrived on spacing, movement, and three-point volume, an offensive philosophy that could unlock Orlando’s weapons and maximize Bane’s shooting gravity. Stotts’ calm demeanor differs from Mosley’s fiery energy, but his track record for offensive improvement speaks for itself. 

With the Magic offense currently ranked near the bottom in efficiency, Stotts’ system-first approach could bring instant structure to a young team searching for an identity.

Becky Hammon Deserves A Shot To Coach In The NBA

Becky Hammon would arguably be the biggest splash hire but she’s more than qualified for the job. Three WNBA titles in four years with the Aces proves that she can manage egos, scheme X’s and O’s, and win at the highest level. 

Hammon spent eight seasons as an assistant to Gregg Popovich with the San Antonio Spurs, giving her an advanced understanding of NBA offenses, allowing her to bring tactical creativity and a championship mindset to the locker room. Plus, her ability to connect with players while holding them accountable makes her a strong fit for a young roster.

At +1000, she’d be the boldest move since the Magic hired a 36-year-old Stan Van Gundy in 2007, with similar upside to shock the league.

Hammon represents the kind of forward-thinking hire that could redefine the Magic’s culture overnight but she might be better suited as an offseason hire, rather than a midseason replacement.

Frank Vogel Brings Championship Pedigree To The Equation

Frank Vogel brings a championship pedigree and reputation for defensive discipline to the table. His presence would immediately help stabilize a young, talented team like the Magic that is still searching for its identity. He led the Lakers to the 2020 NBA title and previously guided the Indiana Pacers to back-to-back Eastern Conference Finals appearances behind Paul George and Roy Hibbert.

Vogel demands accountability from his players, which is something that could be valuable for a young, but talented roster. Orlando has the potential to be a top-tier defensive team but the team’s offensive struggles might convince the front office to go in another direction. 

For a front office seeking a proven winner, Vogel represents one of the safest choices on the market.

Taylor Jenkins Has Experience Developing Young Cores

Taylor Jenkins might be the most underrated name on the list and he has some experience using Bane’s shooting gravity to create space for his star players to operate in the paint. He turned the Memphis Grizzlies into one of the league’s most exciting young teams, overseeing their rise from play-in hopeful to legitimate contender while developing Ja Morant and Jaren Jackson Jr. into All-Star-level players.

Jenkins’ emphasis on tempo, spacing, and unselfish play would mesh perfectly with Orlando’s core of Banchero, Wagner, and Bane. At just 40 years old, he’s young enough to grow with the roster but experienced enough to command the locker room. 

Jenkins could quietly be the best long-term fit and his previous experience with Bane could be valuable for an organization that gave up a lot of draft capital to make this current iteration of the roster work.

Dawn Staley Is Interested In Making The Jump To The NBA

Dawn Staley is one of the most accomplished coaches in women’s college basketball with three NCAA championships at South Carolina (2017, 2022, 2024) and a perfect season on her resume. 

She was reportedly a candidate for the New York Knicks head coaching job before the franchise opted to hire Tom Thibodeau and openly admitted she would have taken the job if offered.

Staley has deep ties to USA Basketball, having coached the women’s national team to gold in the 2020 and 2024 Olympics, and is widely regarded as a top-tier developer of talent. She’s known for building disciplined, high-IQ teams, which makes her a compelling hypothetical candidate. 

At +2000, her jump to the NBA would be historic and unprecedented from the women’s college ranks but her track record speaks for itself.