Hornets Head Coach Rumors: Celtics Assistant Jay Larranaga a Top Candidate

As the Charlotte Hornets continue to sort through candidates, Boston Celtics assistant Jay Larranaga finds himself in the mix.

Per the Charlotte Observer's Rick Bonnell, Larranaga has "emerged as a strong candidate" for the Hornets' vacancy.

Charlotte parted ways with coach Steve Clifford last month after he led the team to just two postseason appearances in five years. The team posted back-to-back 36-46 records and missed the playoffs in each of his final two seasons.

Larranaga does not have prior head-coaching experience in the NBA. He did, however, spend two seasons coaching the D-League's Erie BayHawks. He has spent the past six seasons serving as an assistant coach in Boston.

The 43-year-old has been linked to several openings thus far this offseason. He interviewed for the New York Knicks job, according to Newsday's Al Iannazzone, and ESPN's Chris Forsberg tweeted on Thursday that Larranaga has also met with the Atlanta Hawks.

Like Bonnell, Forsberg noted the assistant made a good impression in Charlotte.

Hornets managing partner Curtis Polk made it clear to Bonnell that the organization is looking for a coach who strives in player development.