Report: Pelicans tab James Borrego as associate head coach, retain Jarron Collins as an assistant

James Borrego has agreed to become the associate head coach for the New Orleans Pelicans, reported Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN.

ESPN Sources: James Borrego has agreed to become New Orleans’ associate head coach. Borrego spent four seasons as Charlotte’s head coach, including back-to-back play-in berths. Pelicans are eager to incorporate his offensive philosophy.

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) June 3, 2023

Wojnarowski also tweeted that Jarron Collins will remain on the coaching staff.

Pelicans were able to retain assistant Jarron Collins, who was a finalist for Pistons HC job and now land Borrego as associate HC. Borrego chose Pelicans over several opportunities elsewhere to be the top assistant.

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) June 3, 2023

Borrego was an assistant coach with the Pelicans from 2010 to 2012 and served as an interim head coach for the Orlando Magic in 2014-15. In both instances, current Pelicans head coach Willie Green was a player on those teams.

The 45-year-old Borrego later spent four seasons as head coach of the Charlotte Hornets before he was fired in 2022. This offseason, he had been linked to head coaching openings with the Rockets and Bucks.