And that is why he is no longer the head coach of the rebuilding, overhauling, starting-from-scratch Orlando Magic.
You know this franchise is likely light years away from winning again when a sitting NBA head coach essentially gives up his multi-million-dollar job, tells management he’s not really interested in a lucrative contract extension and instead decides he’d rather leave than lose. Judging from the Magic’s portrayal of the shocking announcement of a “mutual” parting of the ways with Clifford on Saturday, it sure sounds like this was more Clifford’s decision than the Magic’s.
Normally, when there is a coaching change in the NBA, it is simply the organization deciding to fire the coach because said coach isn’t doing a good enough job.