Randy Wittman Fired by Wizards: Latest Details, Comments and Reaction

After parts of five seasons as head coach of the Washington Wizards, Randy Wittman has been relieved of his duties, team president Ernie Grunfeld announced Thursday:

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There were high internal and external expectations for this team coming into this season based on the momentum we had generated over the previous two years. Unfortunately, the inconsistency of the team's performance and effort, particularly on our home court, did not allow us to meet those expectations and we decided a coaching change was needed. ...

... Randy should be commended for the job he did in taking over as head coach during a very difficult time for our franchise and for helping to establish a culture and identity that led to success. This was a very tough decision on a personal level, and we wish Randy and his family the best moving forward.

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Wittman released a statement on the decision, via Todd Dybas of the Washington Times:

Adrian Wojnarowski of The Vertical reported former Oklahoma City Thunder coach Scott Brooks is a "strong candidate to replace him."

Wittman helped lead the Wiz to the playoffs in 2013-14 and 2014-15, and they advanced to the second round each time. He could not build upon that success in 2015-16, though, as Washington went 41-41 and missed the postseason.

The 56-year-old former Atlanta Hawks, Sacramento Kings and Indiana Pacers guard had a team option remaining on a three-year extension he signed in 2014.

Wittman went 178-199 with Washington after going 62-102 with the Cleveland Cavaliers and 38-105 with the Minnesota Timberwolves.

Although point guard John Wall had another highly productive season, shooting guard Bradley Beal only suited up for 55 games thanks to injuries, starting just 35 of them. He averaged a career-low 31.1 minutes per game.

Big man Nene played in 57 games, while Wall, center Marcin Gortat and wing Otto Porter Jr. all missed time. That played a role in Washington's subpar season, but it wasn't the only reason.

Following a November loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder, Wittman pointed toward a lack of toughness as a reason for the regression, according to Jorge Castillo of the Washington Post.

"We're just too soft of a team right now," Wittman said. "I might as well stick four guards and a center out there and play because we're getting beat on the boards with my supposed big men out there."

Things didn't get better from there, which prompted Wittman to question the team's identity after a January loss to the Boston Celtics, per Cy Fenwick of ESPN Radio 980:

A coaching change is often the easiest way to turn things around without a complete roster overhaul.

Still, the Wizards will have questions to answer in the offseason, namely whether to offer Beal a max deal and if there's any chance in signing free-agent-to-be Kevin Durant, a D.C. native.

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