Take two: Steve Clifford returns to Hornets as head coach
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) » Steve Clifford is heading back to Charlotte.
Clifford 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.
Charlotte previously agreed to terms on a fouryear 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.
“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. “This is an exciting young team with a lot of talented pieces. Charlotte is a great city and I know first-hand the passion that Hornets fans have for this franchise. I can’t wait to get back to town and start working with our players.”
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.
He led the Hornets to two playoff appearances prior to being dismissed in 2018 when Kupchak arrived as general manager. Clifford coached the Orlando Magic from 2018-21, reaching the playoffs twice. He spent last season as a coaching consultant for the Brooklyn Nets.
Clifford is 292-345 in eight seasons as an NBA coach.
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.
Team owner Michael Jordan met Wednesday with Clifford, who left the team on good terms in 2018.
Clifford, known as a defensive-minded coach, inherits a team that eighth on offense last season but 22nd on defense. 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.
The Hornets finished sixth, 10th, ninth, 17th and 17th in defensive rating during Clifford’s five seasons.
During his eight seasons as an NBA head coach, Clifford’s teams have never finished outside the top five in the league in fewest turnovers committed, and in seven of his eight campaigns his team finished in the top two in offensive rebounds allowed and the top five in defensive rebound percentage.
Kupchak said he expects the Hornets to continue to play at a high pace.
“Steve is committed to playing with the same offensive pace that our fans are accustomed to seeing the last few years,” Kupchak said. “We are confident that he will be able to help our young players continue to grow as we look to take the next step as a team.”