Randy Wittman to return as Wizards Head Coach

[7-Day Dray]

Ernie Grunfeld just said it on a ESPN 980 interview. I was hoping for some kind of change, but it is what it is.

[miller31time]

Not a terrible move but at the same time, not one I'm happy with. You have to wonder if we'd be in the market for a new coach if the Wizards didn't string together a bunch of wins against depleted teams and teams resting their stars for the playoff run.

[sfam]

Well, its not like a Jerry Sloan type talent was sitting on the sidelines just waiting for a call. Oh, um...

[SUPERBALLMAN]

Unbelievable. Now all we need is to draft Harrison Barnes and our offseason will be complete.

[closg00]

This is fine, he is not getting an extension (for now) This was totally expected.

[rockymac52]

This is fine, he is not getting an extension (for now) This was totally expected.

Agreed. If the Wizards really turn the corner this coming season, then we can talk about extending Wittman (and he'd deserve it). If we don't have a drastic improvement, then we can go after our coach of the future next offseason. No harm done here.

[Chocolate City Jordanaire]

I prefer this to hiring an expensive, retread coach. I think Randy earned the right to see whether the players can continue their upward trajectories under his watch.

--Seraphin had a nice streak of double doubles. He was freed up with the coaching change.
--Vesely became a nice energy player who often dunked or grabbed key rebounds.
--Chris Singleton was hitting the three like Bowen, reaching less, and playing a lot better.
--Wall seemed to be developing a change of pace game. Still couldn't shoot but he wasn't always in a rush.

The 10 day guys all killed it in one way or another:

--James Singleton appeared to have a very reliable jumper with range to go along with the energy he's shown in two cameos with the Wizards.

--Cartier Martin was playing arguably better than the starting SF. He hit shots and defended the perimeter.

--Morris Almond was so good the team just stopped losing the moment he became a Wizard. I mean what are the odds that a team will go from 14-46 to 6-0 with just one change on their roster? (Wait til this summer when he actually starts draining shots.)

Also on Randy's watch: Nene came to the Wizards and happily accepted his role as team leader. That's the most important endorsement for Wittman in my book. If the veteran leadership is behind him, and if Wall is with him, then this guy is the coach.

One area I didn't like is that Randy loves to see Jordan Crawford shooting the ball. That bears watching this season. In fairness, even Crawford seemed to improve.

What I think is that the Wizards have done right by Randy Wittman and doing right by people is more important than trying to grab a big name at the wrong time.

Let Witt coach em up until it is time to make a change.

[Upper Decker]

Pro's:

1. Young players seemed to respond to him.
2. He kicked Blatche off the team.
3. Allows the organization to hang on to Sam Cassell.
4. It's not like we just re-upped Del Negro

Con's:

1. I would have liked to bring in SVG.
2. Jordan Crawford seemed to have a green light with Wittman.

[sfam]

Pro's:

1. Young players seemed to respond to him.
2. He kicked Blatche off the team.
3. Allows the organization to hang on to Sam Cassell.
4. It's not like we just re-upped Del Negro

Con's:

1. I would have liked to bring in SVG.
2. Jordan Crawford seemed to have a green light with Wittman.

Kicking Blatche off the team is enough for me to give this guy a second season. Although I would have preferred we wait till we know our draft position. The only reason Sloan is interested in the Bobcats is because he thinks he might get Davis. As good as Wittman is, I'd take Sloan every time.

[Dat2U]

Geez, they couldn't wait one day to see what might possibly open up if they land the #1 pick?

Am I wrong for wondering that?

[7-Day Dray]

Now they're reporting that it's not finalized yet, but it's likely.

[Ed Wood]

Geez, they couldn't wait one day to see what might possibly open up if they land the #1 pick?

Am I wrong for wondering that?

I doubt that the announcement was made immediately after the decision was finalized. The team might have seen some tactical or aesthetic advantage to having a clearly defined chain of command in place as things shake out and the off season begins in earnest.

I tend to view coaches more in terms of damage done than in terms of any radical impact they might have on the team's performance (e.g. playing Etan Thomas in the case of Eddie Jordan or encouraging mid range jumpers in the case of Flip) so because Wittman seemed largely free of glaring sins in his approach I'm not terribly upset at this. Not overjoyed either but I don't think there was a candidate out there who would have had that effect. I think I would have preferred Stan Van Gundy but only because I kind of like Stan Van Gundy.

[Benjammin]

F this abomination of a franchise. They make striving for mediocrity look like a Herculean task.

Now Wittman for one more year isn't that horrible in the grand scheme of things, but coupled with EG's retention and talk of trading a top 5 pick for our usual great bag of shiny objects and beads, only getting the top pick tomorrow is going to give me any real sense of optimism. Yet, like a bad car wreck, I'm sure I won't help but gawk at the scene as it unfolds.

[willbcocks]

I liked the direction the team took at the end of the year in terms of attitude and development. We are still rebuilding, so this is by far the most important quality to look for in a coach. Also, continuity should help the rebuilding, if only a little.

Also, anything that prevents us from hiring D'Antoni is a good move.

[penbeast0]

Another positive . . . if we start badly, we didn't have EG hire a Sloan who might help Grunfeld keep his job. Grunfeld and Wittman will (hopefully) succeed or fail as a team; if things go well they deserve lots of credit. If not we get to wipe the slate clean.

[MF23]

EG is a specific type of GM and I'll just say I'm not surprised by him keeping Wittman. I personally hope Wittman develops a STFU attitude towards the FO because that's the only way he'll be successful. Either you fly or crash and burn Randy Wittman. Be a Popovich and not a Flip Saunders.

[Wizardspride]

https://twitter.com/?tw_e=screenname&tw ... ksonSports

Scott Jackson ‏@JacksonSports


Again to reiterate Grunfeld did not say Wittman is coach next yr. He says under contract.

Scott Jackson ‏@JacksonSports

My feeling is still Wittman is guy. The #Wizards for now appear to be keeping wiggle room if a bigger fish comes along or contract issues.

[hegotgame132]

please god no, SVG just falls into our laps and we are too dumb to go after him ahhhhh

[closg00]

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Scott Jackson ‏@JacksonSports


Again to reiterate Grunfeld did not say Wittman is coach next yr. He says under contract.

Scott Jackson ‏@JacksonSports

My feeling is still Wittman is guy. The #Wizards for now appear to be keeping wiggle room if a bigger fish comes along or contract issues.

Typical Grunfeld Double-speak, perhaps they do have a coach waiting in the wings waiting to see if we get Davis.

[verbal8]

https://twitter.com/?tw_e=screenname&tw_i=207621780087652354&tw_p=tweetembed#!/JacksonSports

Scott Jackson ‏@JacksonSports

My feeling is still Wittman is guy. The #Wizards for now appear to be keeping wiggle room if a bigger fish comes along or contract issues.

Typical Grunfeld Double-speak, perhaps they do have a coach waiting in the wings waiting to see if we get Davis.

I think it is probably down to Wittman and Sloan or SVG at this point. If they were going to go for Joeger or an assistant from a play-off team, I think they would have been more open ended on the coach situation.

The double speak possibility would be they are using it as leverage in negotiations with a potential coach.