Bobcats Hire Lakers Assistant Coach Clifford As New Head Coach
CHARLOTTE (CBSLA.com) — The Charlotte Bobcats have reportedly hired Lakers assistant coach Steve Clifford as their new head coach.
The news was confirmed by a source to ESPNALosAngeles.com's Ramona Shelburne.
Clifford contract is reported to be three years, $6 million, including a team option for the third year.
Charlotte fired former head coach Mike Dunlap after his first year at the helm of the Bobcats.
Former Orlando Magic coach, Jeff Van Gundy, said that he has known Clifford since 1985, and suggests that he is up to the job.
"He's a brilliant basketball coach who relates to all kinds of people well, and I think he will do an absolutely fantastic job with the talent at hand," Van Gundy told ESPN. "I'm so happy for one of the good guys in the league to get this opportunity."
Dwight Howard, who officially becomes a free agent on July 1, was close to Clifford, as well as to assistant coach Chuck Person, who was brought back to the team by Mike D'Antoni after the season.
