By April 22, 2022 (updated)
Photo: John Bazemore / AP
James Borrego has been dismissed as head coach by the Charlotte Hornets, per ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski.
Charlotte is dismissing coach James Borrego, sources tell ESPN.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) April 22, 2022
After four years at the helm, Borrego was let go following the Hornets’ second-straight blowout loss in the play-in tournament. He led Charlotte to a 138-163 record during his tenure, garnering a reputation around the league as a successful player development coach with the emergence of Miles Bridges, Devonte’ Graham and Terry Rozier coming under his watch. This season, the Hornets went 43-39, a 10-win improvement from last season and a historically strong record for a 10-seed.
“I want to thank JB for his hard work and commitment during these past four seasons,” Mitch Kupchak communicated in a press release. “These decisions are always difficult. Having said that, we have a talented, young core of players which has me very excited about the future of the Hornets. We will begin the search for our new head coach immediately.”
The reasons for Borrego’s dismissal will remain unclear until Mitch Kupchak holds an end-of-season press conference, which could address the rumors of Kupchak’s possible retirement as well.
The Hornets are firing head coach James Borrego, per @wojespn pic.twitter.com/M283IGandd
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) April 22, 2022
The search for a new head coach begins. With Borrego being let go in spite of three straight-years of team improvement, the next head coach seemingly will be expected to take the team to the next level regardless of how much the roster changes over the summer. The Hornets have never ranked higher than 20th in defensive points per possession under Borrego, per Cleaning The Glass, so defensive acumen could be a desired trait in the next coach.
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