Coaching History

Hornets 30th Anniversary

Coaching Staff

The Hornets have had a strong history of coaches, beginning with Dick Harter from 1988-90. Allan Bristow is the winningest coach in franchise history with a record of 207-203 from 1991-96. Dave Cowens, who replaced Bristow in 1996, has the best winning percentage (.609), posting a record of 109-70 over two and a half seasons.

Paul Silas is Charlotte’s only two-time head coach, serving in the role from 1999-2002 and again from 2010-12. He won a total of 193 regular-season games, and his 11 playoff wins from his first stint with the Hornets represent nearly half of the franchise’s 23 all-time playoff victories.

James Borrego becomes the 12th head coach in team history as he enters his first season with the Hornets in 2018-19.


All-Time Head Coaches

Regular Season Playoffs
Coach Years Record Pct. Record Pct.
Dick Harter 1988-90* 28-94 .230 0-0 —-
Gene Littles 1990-91* 37-87 .298 0-0 —-
Allan Bristow 1991-96 207-203 .505 5-8 .384
Dave Cowens 1996-99** 109-70 .609 4-8 .333
Paul Silas 1998-02** 161-120 .573 11-12 .478
Bernie Bickerstaff 2004-07 77-169 .456 0-0 —-
Sam Vincent 2007-08 32-50 .390 0-0 —-
Larry Brown 2008-10*** 88-104 .458 0-4 .000
Paul Silas 2010-12*** 32-88 .267 0-0 —-
Mike Dunlap 2012-13 21-61 .256 0-0 —-
Steve Clifford 2013-18 196-214 .478 3-8 .273
James Borrego 2018-present —- —- —- —-

* denotes Harter stepped down and Littles was named interim head coach on January 31, 1990
** denotes Cowens stepped down and Silas was named head coach on March 7, 1999
*** denotes Brown stepped down and Silas was named interim head coach on December 22, 2010


All-Time Associate Head Coaches

Coach Years Coach Years
Patrick Ewing 2013-17 Stephen Silas 2017-18


All-Time Assistant Coaches

Coach Years Coach Years Coach Years
Johnny Bach 1994-96 Ed Badger 1988-90 Mike Batiste 2017-18
Bob Beyer 2013-14 John-Blair Bickerstaff 2004-07 Jeff Bower 1999-00
Gary Brokaw 2004-06 Herb Brown 2008-10 Rick Brunson 2012-13
Jeff Capel 2004-10 Pat Delany 2014-18 Bob Donewald Jr. 2001-02
T.R. Dunn 1991-97 Jerry Eaves 1999-01 Phil Ford 2007-10
Dutch Gaitley 2018-present Dave Hanners 2008-10 Bill Hanzlik 1991-96
Jay Hernandez 2018-present Steve Hetzel 2014-18 Brian Hill 2001-02
Chad Iske 2018-present Eddie Jordan 2017-18 Gary Kloppenberg 2004-07
Bruce Kreutzer 2015-18 Dan Leibovitz 2012-13 Ralph Lewis 2010-12
Gene Littles 1988-90 Paul Mokeski 2007-08 Tom Nissalke 1990-91
Ronald Nored 2018-present Charles Oakley 2010-11 Mark Osowski 1996-2000
John Outlaw 2004-07 Mike Pratt 1989-91 Mark Price 2013-15
Lee Rose 1996-01 Lee Rose 2007-08 Mike Sanders 2007-08
Paul Silas 1997-99 Stephen Silas 2000-02 Stephen Silas 2010-17
LaSalle Thompson 2008-10 Jay Triano 2018-present Bob Weiss 2013-17
Rob Werdann 2010-12 Brian Winters 2012-13