CHARLOTTE, N.C. — It’s back to the future in a sense for the Charlotte Hornets.
Moving swiftly after Kenny Atkinson spurned them to remain an assistant coach for Golden State last week, the Hornets agreed to terms with Steve Clifford on a multiyear deal to be the team’s 12th head coach in franchise history. League sources with direct knowledge confirmed to The Charlotte Observer on Friday.
The Observer reported Friday morning that Clifford was a serious candidate after he met with general manager Mitch Kupchak and owner Michael Jordan earlier in the week. Mike D’Antoni, who was a runner-up for the job when the Hornets ultimately decided to go with Atkinson, also had an in-person conversation with Jordan, league sources told The Observer. In the end, they went with Clifford and he will be introduced at a press conference sometime early next week.
