Add another team to the ever-growing list of teams in search of a new coach this off-season.
The Hornets announced that they have made the decision to fire Steve Clifford after five seasons.
The Hornets have announced the firing of coach Steve Clifford after he met today with new GM Mitch Kupchak
— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) April 13, 2018
This doesn’t come as a huge surprise as the team under-performed the past two seasons, going 36-46 and missing the playoffs both years after a breakout 48-34 record in 2015-16.
Usually when a new general manager is brought in after a team struggles, that means a chance for the new front office to pick “their guy” to be the next head coach and that is clearly the route new Hornets GM Mitch Kupchak has chosen.
Clifford went 196-214 in five seasons that included two playoff appearances and 1st round exits.
The Hornets now join the Suns, Grizzlies, Bucks, Knicks and Magic as teams looking for a new head coach.
The Hornets job is not the most ideal for a head coach, as although they are closer to a postseason berth than everyone but the Bucks on that list, they have little youthful talent as a result of poor drafting and almost no cap flexibility in the short term which makes improvement even more difficult.
