TITLE: Suns Bring In Veteran Coach Steve Clifford as Coaching Advisor
SLUG: suns-add-steve-clifford-coaching-advisor
CONTENT:
The Phoenix Suns are adding longtime NBA coach Steve Clifford to their bench in an advisory role, according to multiple league sources.
Clifford, who turns 64 in September, will serve as a coaching advisor to first-year head coach Jordan Ott. The hire comes shortly after Phoenix issued a press release outlining Ott’s assistant staff, a list that did not include the veteran coach.
Clifford owns a decade of NBA head-coaching experience, guiding the Charlotte Hornets from 2013-18 and again from 2022-24, with a stop at the Orlando Magic from 2018-21. Across those ten seasons he posted a 340-461 regular-season record (.424) and led his teams to four playoff appearances.
Before moving into the top seat, Clifford spent 12 years as an NBA assistant with the New York Knicks, Houston Rockets, Orlando Magic, and Los Angeles Lakers between 2001 and 2013. His coaching résumé also includes more than 15 years in the college ranks as both an assistant and head coach.
The Suns had been searching for an assistant with previous head-coaching experience to support Ott but ultimately filled their front-of-bench spots with Jesse Mermuys, DeMarre Carroll, and Brian Randle. Clifford’s advisory position now gives the rookie head coach an experienced voice as he begins his first season in charge.
Source: HoopsRumors
