Steve Clifford to Step Down as Hornets Head Coach After This Season

Charlotte will have a new head coach in 2024-25.

This comes as no surprise, but Steve Clifford will be stepping down as the head coach of the Charlotte Hornets at the end of the 2023-24 season, according to Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN. Clifford is in the second year of a three-year deal but with new ownership and front office structure, it gives the Hornets an opportunity to be fully aligned from the top on down.

The record of 45-112 over the past two seasons is not a knock on Clifford's coaching ability by any means. The roster has been ravaged with injuries since he returned to the Queen City and has had star point guard LaMelo Ball on the floor for just 58 of those 157 games and counting.

Wojnarowski also reports that Clifford is working to finalize a front office role with the organization and informed the team of his decision this morning. Some names that Wojnarowski threw out there as a possible replacement for Clifford include Jordi Fernandez (Kings), Charles Lee (Celtics), Chris Quinn (Heat), Kevin Young (Suns).