Pelicans Fire Willie Green After Dreadful 2-10 Start, First NBA Coach Dismissal of 2025-26 Season

The New Orleans Pelicans announced the firing of head coach Willie Green on Saturday following a dismal 2-10 start to the 2025-26 NBA season. The decision marks the first NBA coaching dismissal this season and the end of Green’s fourth-plus season at the helm of the franchise.

Green, who compiled a 150-190 record during his tenure, was unable to reverse the team’s slide, which included one of the worst beginnings in franchise history. The Pelicans became the first NBA team to lose three of its opening six games by at least 30 points, a clear indicator of the challenges facing the team this season.

The coaching change comes just months after significant front-office shifts, including the appointment of Joe Dumars as the Pelicans’ new head of basketball operations, aimed at turning around the struggling franchise.

In an unexpected move, star forward Zion Williamson has been named interim head coach, making him one of the youngest player-coaches in NBA history. Williamson will assume responsibility for team strategy, rotations, and game management while continuing as an active player, signaling a bold new direction for the Pelicans.

The Pelicans hope this new leadership injection will spark a turnaround following their tough start and reinvigorate a team brimming with potential but struggling to find consistency.