The Washington Wizards have canned Flip Saunders after an abysmal 2-15 that is actually worse than it looks, according to reports, and top assistant coach Randy Wittman will take over. Based on Wittman's history as an NBA head coach, that shouldn't be terribly reassuring for Wizards fans.
Wittman has had three full seasons as a head coach: from 1999-2001 at the helm of the Cleveland Cavaliers and in 2007-08 with the Minnesota Timberwolves. Wittman's clubs have lost at least 50 games in each of those seasons, with the higher water mark a 32-50 run in Cleveland in 1999-2000 and the low point a 22-60 mark with the Wolves. He's also coached two partial seasons, taking over the Wolves from Dwane Casey in 2006-07 and getting axed by the very same team after 19 games from 2008-09.
In 2006-07, the Wolves were 20-20 under Casey when the axe fell and Wittman was promoted. Minnesota went 12-30 the rest of the way.
In 2008-09, the Wolves began the season 4-15 (.210) under Wittman. When general manager Kevin McHale replaced him on the sideline, the Wolves went 20-43 (.317) the rest of the way.
In total, Wittman has a career record as head coach of 100-207 (.326). According to Basketball-Reference's coach register, of the 99 coaches with at least 300 games under their belt, only three -- Sidney Lowe, Tim Floyd and Ron Rothstein -- have lower winning percentages than Wittman.
For more encouraging Wizards news and commentary, visit Bullets Forever and SB Nation D.C.
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