The Charlotte Hornets are off to a solid 8-6 start, and head coach Steve Clifford has been rewarded. With an 84-94 career record with the franchise, Clifford received a multi-year extension that is set to run through the 2018-19 season. Congrats, coach!
Per The Charlotte Observer:
The Charlotte Hornets and coach Steve Clifford have come to an agreement on a multi-year extension, the Observer has learned.
The deal includes a three-year guarantee that would keep Clifford in his current role through the 2018-19 season. The Hornets have an option on the 2019-20 season, a source said.
Clifford is in his third season as Hornets coach. He was hired in the summer of 2013 after being a longtime NBA assistant.
He started his NBA career as a scout for the New York Knicks, working for Jeff Van Gundy. He was later a Knicks assistant coach, then worked with the Houston Rockets, Orlando Magic and Los Angeles Lakers.
The Hornets are 8-6 this season. Clifford is 84-94 overall with the Hornets, having reached the playoffs in Clifford’s first season.
Clifford’s initial contract would have expired after this season. There was wide-spread speculation he would have been a candidate for possible openings with the Houston Rockets and Los Angeles Lakers.
