Magic coach Sean Sweeney isn’t the only new pro basketball coach in the Central Florida area this upcoming season.
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There’s also Ronnie Burrell, who was formally introduced Wednesday afternoon on the practice court inside Kia Center as the new head coach of the Osceola Magic, Orlando’s G League affiliate.
“I wanted to be a part of a new culture,” Burrell said about the opportunity. “The Orlando Magic (are) going through a culture change, and it’s very impressive to watch Sean Sweeney and the front office, the things that they’re imparting, the processes that we’ll try to duplicate as best as we can in part in Osceola as well.
“I just feel like we’re a cog in the machine of the Orlando Magic, trying to help strengthen this franchise,” he added. “There’s pressure to it, but it’s what I wanted.”
Burrell, who was named G League coach of the year in 2023 while guiding the Long Island Nets, said it was a goal of his to return to the G League as a head coach following three years as an NBA assistant. The last two seasons he served as an assistant for the Portland Trail Blazers and spent the year before that as an assistant with the Brooklyn Nets.
“I come back to the G League a better version of myself,” Burrell said. “I’m just excited to put to use some of the things that I’ve learned in the last three years.”
Coaching in the G League is much different than the NBA. The game is played at a faster pace in comparison, and rosters are often in flux because of NBA call-ups and two-way players who go back and forth between the two leagues. Sometimes NBA teams will send roster players down to their G League affiliate on assignment for extra court time or to work their way back from injury.
Burrell isn’t shying away from the challenge.
“I love it. It fits me,” Burrell said of coaching in the G League. “It’s the most fulfilling thing I’ve done as a coach. So, I’m happy to be back and (I’m) very grateful.”
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The last time he coached in the G League, Burrell’s team had success. When he won the G League’s top coaching honor, he led the Long Island Nets to a 23-9 record and an appearance in the G League’s Eastern Conference Finals.
Osceola has also grown accustomed to success. Under past coach Dylan Murphy, who departed in August to join Mike Boynton Jr.’s staff at the University of Michigan as an assistant coach, Osceola went 93-57 with three consecutive appearances in the Eastern Conference finals and a trip to the 2025 G League Finals.
“It’s big shoes to fill,” Burrell said. “It’s a G League team with tradition, which is kind of a rare thing. It’s a team that’s used to winning, a team that’s used to having talent. And that’s pressure on my shoulders. It’s part of the job to be done, is to continue that and try to win games while helping the guys achieve their goals. That’s what the G League is about.
“I’m excited to relish the pressure of it and do my best to live up to the standards that have been here in Osceola,” he added.
Burrell said that while he and Sweeney didn’t share a past connection before this summer, the two see eye-to-eye about the need for an “old school grit” that incorporates “really cutting edge basketball processes” in order to have success on the court.
As the newest coaches in town, he and Sweeney look forward to their fresh beginnings. Orlando opens its regular season Oct. 21 against Atlanta at Kia Center, and Osceola starts Nov. 8 inside Osceola Heritage Park versus the Oklahoma City Blue.
“It’s fresh ideas. It’s new blood,” Burrell said. “Both of us are in new roles. So, there’s a level of excitement that comes with that and I think we’re both pumped.”
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Jason Beede can be reached at [email protected]