The 2026‑27 NBA season will begin with six teams guided by new head coaches, marking a significant shift in leadership across the league. Among the newcomers, Dusty May steps into the Dallas Mavericks’ hot seat after a successful stint in college basketball, highlighted by a Final Four appearance at Florida Atlantic and an NCAA championship with Michigan.
May, who said he visualizes himself on the NBA bench and focuses on the game for the full 48 minutes, believes his experience in packed college arenas will translate to the professional level. “I’ve been in that environment,” he told reporters, “not at the level, obviously, but I’m someone who’s big on visualization. I see myself there.”
First‑time NBA head coaches
May joins two other first‑time NBA head coaches this season. Sean Sweeney, a former San Antonio assistant, has been hired by the Orlando Magic, while Micah Nori, previously an assistant with Minnesota, takes over the Portland Trail Blazers. Both Sweeney and Nori were widely regarded as ready for head‑coaching roles before receiving their opportunities.
Sweeney emphasized a pragmatic approach to the job: “What do we need to do today? Where are we at? How did we do with it? What do we need to improve on?” He added that the team has set high standards and expects everyone to live up to them.
Veteran coaches taking new posts
In addition to the first‑timers, three veteran coaches have moved to new franchises. Former Memphis coach Taylor Jenkins now leads the Milwaukee Bucks, former Orlando coach Jamahl Mosley has taken over the New Orleans Pelicans, and former interim Portland coach Tiago Splitter becomes the head coach of the Chicago Bulls after serving most of last season in Portland.
Mosley, who recently relocated from Florida to Louisiana, described the move as a “reawakening” that allows him to reflect on past successes and challenges. “You get to see exactly what worked, what didn’t work, and how you can balance the roster,” he said. “The group here is young, energetic, and hungry to get better.”
Proven success in early coaching careers
History shows that new coaches can find success quickly. Mike Brown led the New York Knicks to an NBA championship in his inaugural season, and Mitch Johnson guided the San Antonio Spurs to the Finals in his second year, which was technically his first full season as head coach.
Both Sweeney and Nori have been praised for their readiness. Nori, who signed a rare one‑year contract with Portland, said the opportunity allows him to prove himself and earn longer‑term security based on performance. “It’s your program now,” he explained, noting the shift from supporting roles to full responsibility.
Outlook for the season
With six teams under new direction, the upcoming season promises fresh strategies and renewed competition. Fans can expect each coach to imprint their philosophy on their squads, from May’s visualization focus in Dallas to Mosley’s emphasis on youthful energy in New Orleans. As the league kicks off, the performance of these new leaders will be closely watched by both local supporters and the broader basketball community.
Original reporting: Texarkana Gazette — read the source article.
