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Tribune News Service
Tribune News Service
Sport
Roderick Boone

Kenny Atkinson will not coach Hornets, opts to stay with Golden State, sources say

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The Charlotte Hornets’ coaching search isn’t wrapped up after all.

In a stunning move, Golden State assistant coach Kenny Atkinson has decided not to take the Charlotte Hornets head coaching job, league sources confirmed to The Charlotte Observer on Saturday.

Although Atkinson hadn’t officially signed his contract yet, the expectation was for him to do so within days leading up to him arriving in town next week, sources told The Observer.

Atkinson backed out for family reasons, sources told The Observer. The decision caught the Hornets off guard. Atkinson reportedly had a contract in hand, and the Hornets were in the process of assembling a coaching staff.

By backing out, the Hornets could very well be without a coach leading into Thursday’s NBA draft.

Mike D’Antoni was among the finalists with Atkinson and could be the person the Hornets turn to next.

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