Update: Jordi Fernandez set to interview with Charlotte for Hornets’ HC position

Apr 3, 2024, 8:38 AM | Updated: Apr 4, 2024, 11:19 am

SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 26: Sacramento Kings head coach Mike Brown (left) and assistant coach Jordi Fernandez watch their team play the Miami Heat in the first half at Golden 1 Center on February 26, 2024 in Sacramento, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

(Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

BY JOSEPH JAROSZ

Former Editor

Update: On Thursday morning, ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski provided further information on Charlotte’s coaching search.

The NBA insider stated that the Hornets have received permission to interview Sacramento Kings’ assistant coach Jordi Fernandez. This comes after reports a day prior indicated they would be considering him for their head coaching position. Other names listed for the role are: Denver’s David Adelman, Boston’s Charles Lee and Phoenix’s Kevin Young.

Other candidates are also expected to be interviewed, per Woj.

Original Story:

If there’s an NBA head coaching position available, then Sacramento Kings fans should expect to see associate head coach Jordi Fernandez listed as a candidate.

On Wednesday morning, ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski posted to X that Steve Clifford plans to step down as head coach of the Charlotte Hornets. He added that the team and Clifford are working “to finalize a front office role with the franchise.”

“Among the league’s assistant coaching candidates expected to be considered in the Charlotte process: Sacramento’s Jordi Fernandez, Boston’s Charles Lee, Miami’s Chris Quinn, Phoenix’s Kevin Young, and others,” Wojnarowski added in a follow-up post.

Sources: Among the league’s assistant coaching candidates expected to be considered in the Charlotte process: Sacramento’s Jordi Fernandez, Boston’s Charles Lee, Miami’s Chris Quinn, Phoenix’s Kevin Young, and others.

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) April 3, 2024

Last summer, Fernandez was attached to head coaching openings with the Toronto Raptors, Milwaukee Bucks and Phoenix Suns.

The seasoned assistant has coached alongside Mike Brown on the Nigeria men’s basketball team since the 2020 Olympic games. For three seasons, Fernández served as an assistant and head coach in the G-League for the Canton Charge before making the jump to the NBA in 2016, where he coached under former Kings head coach Michael Malone with the Denver Nuggets for six seasons.

He joined Brown’s coaching staff in Sacramento ahead of the 2022-23 season.

When is the next Sacramento Kings game?

Sacramento will travel to the East Coast for a four-game trip that begins on Thursday night against the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden.

The Kings and Knicks battled it out at Golden 1 Center on March 16th, with New York doing enough to scrape out a 98-91 win in a game that saw Sacramento nearly post a season-low in field goal percentage (35%) while also struggling from deep (27%).

Be sure to tune in right here on Sactown Sports 1140 for all of your Kings vs. Knicks coverage, beginning at 3:00 PM PST on Game Night before a 4:30 PM PST tip-off from New York City.