Steve Clifford is reportedly returning for his second stint on the sideline in Charlotte.
The Charlotte Hornets will reportedly bring back coach Steve Clifford for his second stint with the franchise, ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reported Friday.
Clifford’s hiring comes after Golden State Warriors assistant Kenny Atkinson reportedly backed out of an agreement to replace James Borrego, who was fired in April after Charlotte missed the playoffs for the fourth time in his four-year tenure.
ESPN Sources: Steve Clifford has agreed to a deal to return as the Charlotte Hornets’ coach. Clifford, one of league’s most respected coaches among his peers, led Hornets to two playoff trips in a five-year run that ended in 2018.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) June 24, 2022
Clifford, 60, compiled a 196-214 record with a pair of playoff appearances — both first-round losses — in five seasons with the Hornets from 2013-18.
Fired after missing the postseason for the second straight year, he was quickly hired by Orlando, where he went 96-131 in three seasons before being let go in 2021.
Respected around the NBA for his defensive acumen, Clifford had not coached since.