Charlotte Hornets head coach Steve Clifford will step down at the end of the 2023-24 regular season, per ESPN insider Adrian Wojnarowski.
ESPN Sources: Steve Clifford is stepping down as the Charlotte Hornets’ coach at the end of the season and working to finalize a front office role with the franchise. Clifford informed his assistants and players on Wednesday morning. pic.twitter.com/b8ADCn4gFO
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) April 3, 2024
Steve Clifford Steps Down, What’s Next for Hornets Head Coach Search?
Executive vice president of basketball operations, Jeff Peterson, and co-owners Rick Schnall and Gabe Plotkin “were open to Clifford returning as head coach next season,” Wojnarowski adds. However, Clifford “wasn’t prepared to commit to the year-round grind of head coaching for the 2024-2025 season.” Notably, Peterson and Clifford have a positive relationship, which the Hornets’ new lead decision-maker discussed during his introductory press conference.
Clifford is working to finalize a front office role with the franchise.
Several assistant coaches are “expected to be considered” in the Hornets coaching search, per Wojnarowski, including Sacramento Kings associate head coach Jordi Fernandez, Boston Celtics assistant coach Charles Lee, Miami Heat assistant coach Chris Quinn, and Phoenix Suns assistant coach Kevin Young.
Of the aforementioned candidates, Fernandez, Lee, and Quinn have had multiple head coaching interviews over the past few seasons. Last season, Fernandez was in consideration for the Toronto Raptors head coaching gig. The Raptors and the Detroit Pistons vetted Lee. In 2022, Lee also interviewed for the Los Angeles Lakers head coaching vacancy, then as the associate head coach of the Milwaukee Bucks.
Clifford’s decision is the latest move that the franchise has made in their attempt to escape from NBA purgatory. First, the Hornets hired Peterson to replace former general manager Mitch Kupchak, who moved to an advisory role. Then, Peterson hired Dotun Akinwale as an assistant general manager, which should exponentially improve their scouting department. Replacing Clifford will bring a new voice who can grow alongside their young core and reworked executive suite.
At this point, the Hornets might consider a full-on rebrand.
