Rajon Rondo reportedly interviews for NBA head-coaching job

The New Orleans Pelicans are looking for a new head coach, and Rajon Rondo is one of the franchise's candidates.

"The New Orleans Pelicans have been the most aggressive in that pursuit," Eric Nehm of The Athletic shared in his report on Rondo's desire to become a head coach, "as team sources confirmed to The Athletic that Rondo interviewed for their open head coaching job last week and remains in consideration for the position."

Rondo may be one step closer to becoming a head coach in the NBA. He was part of the Milwaukee Bucks staff for two seasons, so stepping into a head-coaching role seems natural, though it would be a big jump.

Back in June 2025, Rondo's former teammate DeMarcus Cousins said that Rondo is as ready, if not more so, than Los Angeles Lakers head coach JJ Redick.

"Absolutely, I think he would be the perfect guy for the job," Cousins said on the "Run It Back" show. "If we praise JJ Redick, and this is no knock. I think JJ is a really good coach. But, if we praise JJ for his level of IQ and his understanding of the game.

"I mean Rondo is light-years ahead of him. So, I think when it comes to any coaching job I think his name should be in the hat. He's a winner, he knows the game, he's also a great teacher of the game, he was that when he was a player, so you could only imagine what he would be if he’s a full-time coach."

How sure is Rajon Rondo about his abilities to be an NBA head coach?

How prepared does Rondo think he is to step into the head-coaching role?

"I know I can do it now," Rondo told The Athletic in March, via Nehm. "I have the discipline, preparation and, obviously, it's about having the right people around you.

"I feel like I know who I am, and I know the people I can trust in this business for the most part. I've had a lot of great mentors, a lot of people rooting for me. I definitely think I'll be ready to go."

The Pelicans need a makeover, and having a former NBA player who knows what it's like in the trenches who also comes with coaching experience is the kind of combination that could help speed up their rebuild.