Steve Clifford returns: Hornets name Clifford head coach

By Anthony Caruso III | Publisher

The Charlotte Hornets have hired a familiar face. Steve Clifford has been named the Hornets’ head coach.

He was previously the team’s head coach from 2013 through 2018. He was fired by the team on April 13th, 2018.

Clifford did not coach during the 2021-22 season. He was available after the Orlando Magic decided to part ways with the bench leader in June 2021.

The Hornets we’re looking for a head coach after Kenny Atkinson spurred the team. He was expected to become the Hornets’ head coach.

Then during the NBA Finals, the Golden State Warriors talked to Atkinson, who is an assistant coach with the team. The Warriors offered Atkinson their associate head coaching job.

Atkinson accepted the role with a pay increase. That left the Hornets looking for a new head coach once again.

Clifford guided the Hornets to the playoffs twice in five seasons with the team. Both times, they were eliminated in the first round.

He also guided the Magic to the playoffs twice in three seasons. He has never gotten out of the first round as a head coach.

Clifford is 292-345 as a head coach. His teams are just 5-16 in the playoffs.

His best record as a head coach came with the Hornets when he guided the team to a 48-34 record in 2015-16.