Timberwolves fire coach Casey, install Wittman
January 23, 2007
PORTLAND, OREGON (TICKER) -- Minnesota Timberwolves coach Dwane Casey, whose team endured a handful of peaks and valleys this season, was fired Tuesday.
Casey was replaced by assistant Randy Wittman after less than 1 1/2 seasons in his first NBA head coaching job. He had a 53-69 record.
The Timberwolves (20-20) have been inconsistent this season with eight winning and losing streaks of at least three games. They have lost four in a row following a three-game winning streak.
"We started the season with certain goals and expectations that have not been met," Timberwolves vice president of basketball operations Kevin McHale said. "We've struggled with being consistent throughout the year and ultimately that's the head coach's responsibility."
Since reaching the 2004 Western Conference finals, the Wolves have not made the playoffs and twice have changed coaches in mid-season. They fired long-time coach Flip Saunders during the 2004-05 campaign.
Built around superstar forward Kevin Garnett - who has been the subject of trade rumors during the last two years - the Wolves have a mix of veterans and rookies who have been inconsistent this season.
Guard Randy Foye and forward Craig Smith are among the NBA's top rookies this season. However, guards Mike James and Marko Jaric - the team's primary point guards - have been very erratic.
McHale is hoping that Wittman, who has previous head coaching experience, can provide the spark the Wolves need. Minnesota is clinging to the eighth and final playoff spot in the Western Conference.
"We believe that Randy Wittman will provide our team with a different voice to get us jump-started and going in the right direction," McHale said. "Randy is a known quantity who has a great amount of experience in the NBA."
Wittman played 543 games before working as an assistant with Indiana (1992-93), Dallas (1993-94) and Minnesota (1994-99).
In 1999, Wittman became coach of the Cleveland Cavaliers and went 62-102 in two seasons. He returned to the Timberwolves after being fired by the Cavaliers and spent four seasons as an assistant with Minnesota before spending last season as an assistant with Orlando.
Wittman's first game will be Wednesday at the Trail Blazers as the Timberwolves continue a five-game road trip. After home losses last week to Atlanta and Detroit, Minnesota has been routed at Phoenix (131-102) and Utah (106-91).
The Timberwolves won their first two games, lost six of seven, won three in a row, lost three straight, won four in a row, lost four straight and won 10 of 13 before their current slide. They are 12-8 at home and 8-12 on the road.
Casey spent 11 seasons as an assistant in Seattle before becoming coach of the Wolves on June 17, 2005. He got his start in coaching as an assistant at Kentucky and spent five seasons coaching in Japan, guiding the national team.
January 23, 2007
PORTLAND, OREGON (TICKER) -- Minnesota Timberwolves coach Dwane Casey, whose team endured a handful of peaks and valleys this season, was fired Tuesday.
Casey was replaced by assistant Randy Wittman after less than 1 1/2 seasons in his first NBA head coaching job. He had a 53-69 record.
The Timberwolves (20-20) have been inconsistent this season with eight winning and losing streaks of at least three games. They have lost four in a row following a three-game winning streak.
"We started the season with certain goals and expectations that have not been met," Timberwolves vice president of basketball operations Kevin McHale said. "We've struggled with being consistent throughout the year and ultimately that's the head coach's responsibility."
Since reaching the 2004 Western Conference finals, the Wolves have not made the playoffs and twice have changed coaches in mid-season. They fired long-time coach Flip Saunders during the 2004-05 campaign.
Built around superstar forward Kevin Garnett - who has been the subject of trade rumors during the last two years - the Wolves have a mix of veterans and rookies who have been inconsistent this season.
Guard Randy Foye and forward Craig Smith are among the NBA's top rookies this season. However, guards Mike James and Marko Jaric - the team's primary point guards - have been very erratic.
McHale is hoping that Wittman, who has previous head coaching experience, can provide the spark the Wolves need. Minnesota is clinging to the eighth and final playoff spot in the Western Conference.
"We believe that Randy Wittman will provide our team with a different voice to get us jump-started and going in the right direction," McHale said. "Randy is a known quantity who has a great amount of experience in the NBA."
Wittman played 543 games before working as an assistant with Indiana (1992-93), Dallas (1993-94) and Minnesota (1994-99).
In 1999, Wittman became coach of the Cleveland Cavaliers and went 62-102 in two seasons. He returned to the Timberwolves after being fired by the Cavaliers and spent four seasons as an assistant with Minnesota before spending last season as an assistant with Orlando.
Wittman's first game will be Wednesday at the Trail Blazers as the Timberwolves continue a five-game road trip. After home losses last week to Atlanta and Detroit, Minnesota has been routed at Phoenix (131-102) and Utah (106-91).
The Timberwolves won their first two games, lost six of seven, won three in a row, lost three straight, won four in a row, lost four straight and won 10 of 13 before their current slide. They are 12-8 at home and 8-12 on the road.
Casey spent 11 seasons as an assistant in Seattle before becoming coach of the Wolves on June 17, 2005. He got his start in coaching as an assistant at Kentucky and spent five seasons coaching in Japan, guiding the national team.
