Magic hire Spurs assistant Sean Sweeney as new head coach

The Magic have found their new coach.

According to ESPN’s Shams Charania, Orlando is finalizing a deal with Spurs associate head coach Sean Sweeney, ending a search that included veteran candidates Jeff Van Gundy and Billy Donovan.

Sweeney arrives with a strong reputation around the league and had been connected to multiple coaching vacancies this offseason. He reportedly impressed Magic officials during the interview process and ultimately emerged as the franchise’s choice to lead a team looking to take the next step in the Eastern Conference.

While Orlando was believed to be considering experienced former head coaches after three straight first-round playoff exits, the organization instead opted for another first-time head coach.

Sweeney’s rise through the NBA ranks has been steady.

He began as a video coordinator with the Nets in 2011 before earning assistant coaching roles in Brooklyn, Milwaukee, Detroit, Dallas and San Antonio. He spent the past season as the Spurs’ associate head coach under Mitch Johnson and played a major role in overseeing a defense that improved from 25th in the NBA to third.

According to reports, Magic officials traveled to San Antonio during the Western Conference finals to meet with Sweeney. He is expected to remain with the Spurs through the remainder of their playoff run before officially joining Orlando.

The Bulls, Mavericks and Trail Blazers remain among the teams still searching for a head coach this offseason.