The Osceola Magic hired Ronnie Burrell as head coach, General Manager Kevin Tiller II announced Sept. 22, 2026. Burrell joins the NBA G League team after earning the league’s 2023 Coach of the Year award with the Long Island Nets. He will take over an Osceola program based in Kissimmee, Florida, and affiliated with the Orlando Magic.
Burrell also was named G League Coach of the Month in January and February during the 2023 season. He became the fourth coach in league history to win the award in back-to-back months. Burrell led Long Island to a 16-game winning streak and the league’s top-ranked defense, which posted a 103.7 defensive rating.
“Ronnie has 25 years of basketball experience across the Division I, NBA, G League and international levels,” said Tiller. “His knowledge and understanding of the game make him an invaluable asset in player development, and we couldn’t be more excited to welcome him to Osceola.”
Burrell brings NBA and G League experience
Burrell spent the 2023-24 season as an assistant coach with the Brooklyn Nets and the 2024-26 seasons as an assistant coach with the Portland Trail Blazers. His coaching experience also includes assistant positions with the Long Island Nets, College Park Skyhawks and Chicago Bulls. His player-development work included Jalen Johnson, Deni Avdija, Mikal Bridges, Robert Williams III and Toumani Camara.
“I’m incredibly grateful to Kevin Tiller, Mike Sain and the entire Magic organization for this opportunity,” said Burrell. “I’m looking forward to building on the strong foundation already in place in Osceola and forming a team and culture that fans can be proud of.”
Burrell has international playing background
Burrell played four seasons at the University of North Carolina Greensboro and earned two all-conference recognitions. He then played professionally in Europe for 11 years, appearing in 55 EuroLeague contests and winning six domestic league and cup titles. Burrell retired as a player in 2016.
After retiring, Burrell began coaching as a graduate assistant while earning a master’s degree in sports management from Florida Atlantic University. He is a native of Livingston, New Jersey, and has one daughter, Camryn. His background spans college basketball, professional basketball in Europe, the NBA and the NBA G League.
Burrell succeeds Dylan Murphy
Dylan Murphy served as the Osceola Magic’s head coach from 2023-26 before becoming an assistant coach at the University of Michigan. Murphy compiled a 93-57 record, including a .620 winning percentage, over three seasons with Osceola. He led the franchise to the Eastern Conference No. 1 seed each season and took the team to the 2025 G League Finals.
The Osceola Magic won the 2021 G League championship and reached the 2025 G League Finals. The franchise moved to Florida before the 2017-18 campaign and is based in Kissimmee. It serves as the NBA G League affiliate of the Orlando Magic.
FSB Take
Osceola is turning to a coach with proven G League success and experience at both the NBA and developmental levels. Burrell’s 2023 season with Long Island included a 16-game winning streak, the league’s top-ranked defense and the G League Coach of the Year award. He also inherits a franchise that reached the 2025 G League Finals under Murphy.
Burrell said he wants to build on the foundation already in place in Osceola. His player-development background and defensive track record will be central to the next chapter for the Kissimmee-based NBA G League affiliate.
Source: Original report