NBA Coaching Rumors: Patrick Ewing, Steve Clifford Candidates for Charlotte Bobcats Job, According to Report

Orlando Magic assistant coaches Patrick Ewing and Steve Clifford are among the candidates the Charlotte Bobcats are expected to interview for their head-coaching vacancy, reports Sam Amick of Sports Illustrated, which vacancy they created Monday after dismissing Paul Silas. Bobcats owner Michael Jordan nearly hired Ewing, a close personal friend of his, for the job before offering it to Silas instead, Amick says.

Further, according to the SI scribe, Ewing and Clifford could join the Bobcats as "a package deal of sorts" if one of them earns Charlotte's head-coaching position.

Ewing has never coached at any level, though he's served as an assistant on Stan Van Gundy's staff in Orlando since the 2007/08 season. He held assistant-coaching jobs with the Washington Wizards (2003-2004) and the Houston Rockets (2004-2006) as well.

Clifford joined Van Gundy's staff along with Ewing. His coaching career includes stops at St. Anslem's College, Fairfield University, Boston University, Siena College, Adelphi University, and East Carolina University.

As Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo! Sports notes, Jordan will have a difficult time convincing top-tier coaching candidates to take the job. "From roster to salary to ownership," Wojnarowski writes, "Charlotte will be offering one of the least appealing coaching jobs in modern NBA history."

Jordan made the totally expected decision to dismiss Silas on Monday after a season in which his club set the NBA record for worst win percentage of all time. Silas even stepped aside for some games to allow his son, Steven, to coach.

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