Clifford To Take Leave Of Absence From Hornets

Maine native and Charlotte Hornets Head Coach Steve Clifford will be taking a leave of absence away from the team, as announced on Wednesday.

According to the Hornets via a press release on Wednesday morning, Clifford will take the absence "to address his health" after missing the contest on Monday night versus Orlando.

Clifford has been the Head Coach of the Hornets since 2013 and currently has guided his team to a 9-13 overall record.  Assistant Coach Stephen Silas will serve as the acting Head Coach until Clfford's return.

There was no timetable listed by the franchise for Clifford, and the Hornets also did not comment on what in particular the illness was.  Clifford, who was born in Island Falls, played collegiately at UMaine Farmington and is a former Woodland High School coach.  His brother Dan is the principal at Ellsworth High School and a former boy's varsity coach at the school