Former Memphis Grizzlies coach David Fizdale is reportedly the “leading candidate” for the vacant Charlotte Hornets coaching job following the firing of Steve Clifford. According to Mitch Lawerence of Sirius XM NBA, Sporting News and Forbes, they have already done a background check on David Fizdale.
Before the Hornets announced Steve Clifford’s firing, they were already starting a background check on Dave Fizdale, the ex-Memphis Grizzlies head coach, per NBA sources. Seen as a leading candidate.
— Mitch Lawrence (@Mitch_Lawrence) April 13, 2018
The Hornets recently got rid of Steve Clifford during the end of this season after the Charlotte Hornets finished with a disappointing record of 36-46 for the second year in a row. Clifford had been with the team for 5 seasons before getting fired.
Fizdale was let go by the Memphis Grizzlies earlier this year after coaching for them for a little over one season. The Grizzlies got off to a slow 7-12 start early in the season, and there was reported tension between Fizdale and Grizzlies star center Marc Gasol after Fizdale benched Gasol during fourth quarter against the Nets. He was let go 19 games into the 2017-18 season. His record with the team was at 50-51.
Fizdale also was an assistant coach with the Miami Heat where he won two championships under Eric Spoelstra. He started his NBA career with the Golden State Warriors as an assistant coach in the 2003-04 season. Then, from 2004-2008, he served as an assistant for the Atlanta Hawks before joining the Heat.
