After firing head coach Frank Vogel earlier this month after just two seasons with the team, the Orlando Magic have found his replacement in Steve Clifford.
The team announced Wednesday that they have hired Clifford as their head coach, the 14th in the franchise’s history:
RELEASE: Magic name Steve Clifford head coach. Clifford becomes 14th head coach in franchise history.#PureMagic pic.twitter.com/S7KTXtHJDg
— Orlando Magic PR (@Magic_PR) May 30, 2018
Steve Clifford was last at the helm for the Charlotte Hornets where he served as head coach for five years. Clifford was one of the best available candidates still on the market, as he took a middling Hornets team to the playoffs twice in the past five years.
However, the Hornets missed the postseason for the second consecutive campaign in 2017-18, prompting the coach’s firing. Despite this, Clifford has shown to be a more than capable coach and it shouldn’t come as a surprise that he’s parlayed that into a new job just over a month following his termination in Charlotte.
For the Magic, bringing in a veteran coach who has had NBA experience since 2000 should help develop the young talent they currently roster. While upgrades are certainly warranted across the board for the Magic, they do have a few serviceable pieces such as Aaron Gordon, Nikola Vucevic, Jonathan Isaac, and Mario Hezonja.
Orlando also holds a high lottery pick in this year’s upcoming draft at sixth overall. With the experienced and trusty Clifford now providing some stability at the head coaching position, the Magic could be poised to bolster their roster and escape the Eastern Conference cellar they have been rendered to in years past.
