Sean Sweeney is a new, young NBA head coach. In his first season leading the Orlando Magic, he will get some help from the winningest coach in Michigan men’s basketball history.
Read more Alleged 2024 Downtown Orlando Halloween shooter has ‘remorse’ as trial set to begin
John Beilein, who won 278 games at Michigan and led the program to two national championship appearances, will serve as a consultant to Sweeney.
Sweeney, 42, is in his first year as a head coach. He’s been in the NBA since 2011, mostly as an assistant coach. He served in that role with the San Antonio Spurs last season. He was hired by the Magic on June 1.
Beilein, 73, has been out of coaching since 2023 after spending two years as a senior advisor of player development for the Detroit Pistons. He started the 2019-20 season as the head coach of the Cleveland Cavaliers before resigning after 54 games.
He coached at Michigan for 12 years and was also at West Virginia, Richmond and Canisius. The Wolverines reached the title game in 2013 and 2018.
“I’m excited to be assisting Sean Sweeney and the Orlando Magic as a senior coaching consultant this upcoming NBA season,” Beilein posted on social media.
Read more Ohio State and Oregon are 1-2 in the AP preseason Top 25, SEC leads conferences with 9 ranked teams
“Sean has a brilliant future as an NBA head coach, and I’m honored he has asked me to serve him and the Magic in this capacity. I look forward to supporting the coaching staff and contributing in any way I can to the organization’s continued growth and success.”
Beilein and Sweeney crossed paths with the Pistons. Sweeney was an assistant in Detroit for three seasons. Beilein, who spends his winters in Florida, will share his thoughts on games and practices.
Sweeney has said he wants to have a variety of voices around him.
“I want guys who have skill sets that are not the same as mine,” he has said previously. “I want people that are different to me. I want people that can carry a message in their own voice and can help me be a better coach.”
The Magic, who went 45-37 last season, have lost in the first round of the playoffs each of the past three seasons. Their most recent playoff exit was against the Detroit Pistons. Orlando blew a 3-1 series. The result led to the firing of coach Jamahl Mosley after five seasons.
Read more Late Big Bear bald eagle Jackie’s image used in scams