Steve Clifford began his head coaching tenure in the NBA in Charlotte. He has been an NBA coach for nine seasons. Three were with the Orlando Magic, and add six more between his two tours in Charlotte. He has guided four of those teams to the postseason. He’s genuinely considered a competent coach, capable of instilling young teams with important NBA principles. The most compelling principle he conveys to groups is his steadfast love of defense—usually the side of the ball that young teams struggle with the most.
Clifford was hired by the Charlotte Hornets a second time.