![]() ![]() The Hornets gave up 132 points in a 29-point loss to the Hawks in the play-in elimination game last season, which didn’t sit well with Jordan. | □: /4LRNaWK85UĬlifford, known as a defensive-minded coach, inherits a team that eighth on offense last season but 22nd on defense. Clifford, who previously served as head coach from 2013-2018, is the second-winningest coach in franchise history. ![]() OFFICIAL: We have named Steve Clifford head coach. Team owner Michael Jordan met Wednesday with Clifford, who left the team on good terms in 2018. His best season in Charlotte came in 2015-16 when the Hornets went 48-34 and lost in seven games to the Miami Heat in the first round the playoffs. He spent last season as a coaching consultant for the Brooklyn Nets.Ĭlifford is 292-345 in eight seasons as an NBA coach. Clifford coached the Orlando Magic from 2018-21, reaching the playoffs twice. He led the Hornets to two playoff appearances prior to being dismissed in 2018 when Kupchak arrived as general manager. The 60-year-old Clifford spent five seasons coaching the Hornets from 2013-18, compiling a 196-214 record with a team that included Kemba Walker. I can’t wait to get back to town and start working with our players.” Charlotte is a great city and I know first-hand the passion that Hornets fans have for this franchise. ![]() “This is an exciting young team with a lot of talented pieces. “I’m happy to be returning to Charlotte, and I want to thank Michael Jordan, Mitch Kupchak and Buzz Peterson for this opportunity,” Clifford said in a release. (AP) - Steve Clifford is heading back to Charlotte.Ĭlifford has agreed to a multiyear contract to return as head coach of the NBA’s Hornets four years after being fired by team owner Michael Jordan, the team announced Friday night.Ĭharlotte previously agreed to terms on a four-year contract with Golden State assistant Kenny Atkinson to become head coach, but Atkinson later informed the team he was not taking the job citing family reasons. However, Kerr told NBC Sports that Atkinson turned down the job because he didn’t want to uproot his family again.Steve Clifford has more than 20 years of NBA coaching experience, including 8 seasons with Charlotte (2013-2018).ĬHARLOTTE, N.C. So maybe Kenny is on to something,” Kupchak quipped.Ītkinson has not responded to interview requests from the AP seeking comment about his decision to back out of the agreement. Belichick went on to coach the New England Patriots and win six Super bowls. Kupchak also pointed out NFL coach Bill Belichick abruptly resigning before his introductory news conference with the New York Jets in 2000. “So maybe Kenny spoke to Steve, and Steve said, ‘Hey, maybe things will work out this way for you.’ I don’t know.” “It looks like (Kerr) make a good decision to take the job at Golden State,” Kupchak said with a laugh. The general manager said Atkinson’s decision reminded him of when Steve Kerr turned down the Knicks coaching job, only to go to Golden State where he’s won four NBA titles. ”A good coach is going to help with the roster, but the most important thing is to get the roster together.” ![]() “The roster is really what wins games,” Kupchak said. Charlotte added Nebraska guard Bryce McGowens in the second round after Kupchak made another trade. Kupchak orchestrated the team’s draft this year without a head coach in place, but said it was not a big deal and that in the pas years he’s worked with coaches who aren’t even in the draft room.Ĭharlotte team traded its 13th overall pick to the New York Knicks for a future first round pick and four second round picks and then took Duke center Mark Williams at No. Mike D’Antoni and Terry Stotts were also in consideration for the job. ![]()
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