Steve Clifford stepping down as Hornets coach, sources say

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Steve Clifford is stepping down as the Charlotte Hornets' coach at the end of the season and working to finalize a front office role with the franchise, sources told ESPN.

Clifford, who informed his assistants and players of the news Wednesday morning, will coach the Hornets' final seven games beginning Wednesday night against the Portland Trail Blazers, sources said.

Charlotte's new executive vice president of basketball operations Jeff Peterson and co-owners Rick Schnall and Gabe Plotkin were open to bringing him back as coach next season, but Clifford, 62, decided he wasn't prepared to commit to the year-round grind of head coaching for the 2024-2025…