Charlotte Hornets Coach Steve Clifford Makes Decision On Future: Report

Charlotte Hornets head coach Steve Clifford will reportedly step down from his current position and take a new front office role with the franchise, sources with knowledge of the situation confirmed to ESPN 's Adrian Wojnarowski on Wednesday (April 3).

"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," Wojnarowski wrote on his X account.

Clifford, 62, was re-hired by the Hornets in 2022 after previously coaching the franchise from 2013-18. The Maine native went 45-112 during the past two season, which includes an 18-57 record through the first 75 games of the ongoing 82-game 2023-24 NBA season.

Clifford had previously gone 196-214 during his first five seasons in Charlotte, which included making two playoff appearances in 2014 and 2016 and went 96-131 during three seasons with the Orlando Magic from 2018-21, which also included two postseason appearances.

Several NBA assistant coaches are reportedly expected to be candidates for the Hornets' head coaching vacancy including Charles Lee of the Boston Celtics, Jordi Fernandez of the Sacramento Kings, Chris Quinn of the Miami Heat and Kevin Young of the Phoenix Suns, among others.