Another NBA Coaching Casualty As Season Winds Down

 It was his second kick at the can with the team, hoping to take it to a new level this time around. But in the end, the mediocrity on the floor in Charlotte was apparently too much for Steve Clifford, who has decided to step down as Hornets coach. 

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

 As noted by Adrian Wojnarowski, Clifford isn’t giving up on the franchise entirely, however, as he will be moving into a front office role with the club. He’ll coach his final game when the season wraps up next week.

The Hornets are 18–57 this season, the fourth worst record in the NBA. That represents a fall-off from last season, when Clifford returned after a four-year absence to coach the team to a 27–55 mark, which was also 26th in the NBA. 

Clifford had spent five previous seasons coaching in Charlotte from 2013 through 2018, and overall has a 241–326 record coaching the team.

Woj already has listed several potential candidates to take over the role in Charlotte next season, including current NBA assistants Charles Lee of the Boston Celtics, Sacramento's Jordi Fernandez, Miami's Chris Quinn, and Phoenix's Kevin Young.

Photo: Cory Knowlton-USA TODAY Sports