Steve Clifford Set To Depart From Charlotte

As the NBA season draws to a close, the Charlotte Hornets have announced that head coach Steve Clifford will be parting ways with the team. During his seven-year tenure, Clifford’s performance was a mixed bag, with only two seasons boasting a winning record — specifically, the 2013-14 and 2015-16 seasons. Post-2016, Clifford had a three-season run with the Orlando Magic, where he managed to surpass the .500 mark just once.

The decision to rehire Clifford has been met with criticism, especially considering his recent 21-win season with the Magic. Critics argue that a coach with consecutive sub-.500 seasons typically wouldn’t be a top pick to lead a team. Reports suggested that Clifford was eyeing a different role within the organization, yet found himself back in the head coach position.

The Hornets’ coaching saga reflects a pattern of safe choices, particularly evident when they struggled to secure a long-term commitment from potential candidates before the 2022 season. This conservative approach has left many questioning the franchise’s decision-making process.
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Looking ahead, the Hornets are poised to embrace change, with several promising candidates lined up to take the helm. Fans have reasons to be hopeful with names like Charles Lee, an assistant with the Celtics; Jordi Fernandez, the Canadian Men’s Team head coach; Kevin Young, the Phoenix Suns’ associate head coach; Chris Quinn, an assistant with the Miami Heat; and David Vanterpool of the Washington Wizards.
The Hornets’ past reluctance to pursue assistant coaches from more successful franchises remains puzzling. However, the current list of prospects offers a glimpse of a brighter future. The expectation is not just to surpass the low bar set by Clifford but to see the Hornets become a consistent contender for the NBA Playoffs.