As the Orlando Magic move into a full rebuilding process, coach Steve Clifford and the franchise have agreed together to a parting, sources told ESPN on Saturday.
Clifford, who led the Magic to the playoffs in successive seasons prior to this year, had several meetings with management over recent weeks that ultimately drove what’s been described to ESPN as a “mutual decision,” sources said.
In the end, the timelines of the Magic’s rebuild and Clifford’s station were no longer aligned.
The Magic will commence a coaching search immediately, joining Boston and Portland with current openings.
Magic president Jeff Weltman and general manager John Hammond hired Clifford upon arriving in Orlando three years ago with hopes of him returning the franchise to the playoffs — and he did so twice before season-ending injuries to two starters and a trade deadline unloading of All-Star center Nikola Vucevic and guard Evan Fournier for multiple future draft picks changed the trajectory of the franchise.
Clifford, 59, had one year left on his original four-year contract, sources told ESPN.
He finishes with a 96-131 mark in his three years in Orlando, including two playoff seasons. Orlando was 21-51 this season, cycling several young players and 10-day contract performers through the lineup.
Clifford has reached the playoffs four times in eight seasons between his two head coaching jobs in Charlotte and Orlando.
Source:ESPN
