NBA: Clifford takes over the Magic

The Orlando Magic have apparently found a new head coach. As the franchisees confirmed, the team has agreed with Steve Clifford.

Clifford will be presented in Orlando on Wednesday. His working paper will last four years, making it his second term in Orlando: between 2007 and 2012 he worked as assistant coach for Magic under Stan Van Gundy.

The Magic had been looking for a new coach for several weeks after the hapless Frank Vogel was released shortly after the end of the regular season. President of Basketball Operations Jeff Weltman sees Clifford as the right combination of tactician, teacher and authority for the young squad, the report says.

Clifford had been head coach of the Charlotte Hornets for the last five years, but was also dismissed in April. He had a 196-214 record with the Hornets and twice reached the playoffs, but in the last two years the Hornets failed due to this task.