Randy Wittman Press Conference Reaction: 'The Disciplinarian Shtick Will Wear Thin'

SB Nation DC's Editor Emeritus Mike Prada made his way out to the Verizon Center Monday to take in the Randy Wittman press conference firsthand. The full article is at Bullets Forever and is very much worth your time, but here are some of the best bits.

It was a pretty subdued atmosphere for the grand proclamation that Randy Wittman was the newest full-time Washington Wizards head coach. Perhaps that's because of the Wizards' public stance on the matter, with general manager Ernie Grunfeld confirming that Wittman was the team's choice all along "after we took time to evaluate our situation." Maybe it was because it was a firm reminder of a typical media session last year.

Among Wittman's quotes were this gem, which is surely an early leader in the 2012-13 edition of #QUOTESANITY

"It was the growth of this team and the growth of them growing together. (Editor's Note: quite a sentence). You could see it. There wasn't a disconnect of individuals trying to do things for themselves. It was a transformation of guys playing together, moving the ball."

Another group of fans watching today's press conference with interest was the group from SB Nation's Minnesota Timberwolves blog, Canis Hoopus. Wittman, you will recall, coached the Timberwolves for all or part of three seasons between 2006 and 2009, compiling a 38-105 record while never making the playoffs. Their thoughts are below.

I'll never cease to be amazed by the stupidity of some pro sports owners.Seriously.Randy Wittman?The guy has a career .331 win%.

— canishoopus (@canishoopus) June 4, 2012

Have fun with that, Washington fans.The disciplinarian shtick will wear thin in less than 18 months.

— canishoopus (@canishoopus) June 4, 2012

It's amazing that another NBA team looked at the Witt/Saunders Wolves and viewed that as some sort of blueprint.

— canishoopus (@canishoopus) June 4, 2012

Well, at least we know where David Kahn will interview when he's fired from the Wolves.#Wizardsfever

— canishoopus (@canishoopus) June 4, 2012

For more information on the NBA, please check out the SB Nation NBA Hub Page. For more information on the Washington Wizards, check out the SB Nation blog Bullets Forever.

LIVE VIDEO: Wizards Announce Randy Wittman's Return As Head Coach

The Washington Wizards made official Monday what most people had previously suspected, reaching agreement on a two-year contract with Randy Wittman to be the team's head coach.

Wittman went 18-31 as the Wizards' head coach in the final games of the 2011-12 after taking over for the fired Flip Saunders on January 24. Wittman has now been a head coach for all or part of six NBA seasons and has a cumulative record of 118-238 and no playoff appearances.

Here's Wizards owner Ted Leonsis on the hiring.

Randy is a positive force for our team - we can have continuity and he can coach off of the great momentum he was generating for us at the season's end. He can add to the staff and add more experience on the bench, and he has carte blanche to make investments in player development ...

Randy is a good man - a pro's pro and a strong presence. His style, which I call "tough but fair", is very respected. He relishes teaching and he preaches respect for the game, hard work and team precepts. I enjoyed getting to know him better during our day together and I also respected his analysis of what we have to do to dramatically improve. He was very candid with me, which I respect very much.

He is the right man for this job. I look forward to working with him and Ernie [Grunfeld] this off season

The Wizards have called a press conference for 3 p.m. at Verizon Center. Video of the press conference, via CSN Washington, is below.

For more information on the NBA, please check out the SB Nation NBA Hub Page. For more information on the Washington Wizards, check out the SB Nation blog Bullets Forever.

Washington Wizards Announce Randy Wittman's Return

The Washington Wizards confirmed on Monday that Randy Wittman is coming back as the team's head coach for the 2012-2013 season. The report confirms recent speculation in the media that Wittman would be back with Washington after the 2011-2012 season.

Team policy prohibits the terms of the deal from being released at this time. Prior reports said that Wittman received a two-year deal to be the Wizards' head coach.

Team president Ernie Grunfeld praised Wittman in the team's official announcement.

"We are excited to bring Randy back as head coach and give him the opportunity to build on the positive momentum that the team showed under his leadership last season," said Grunfeld. "We were very pleased with the development of our young players and the commitment to winning he instilled despite taking over the team under difficult circumstances."

Wittman said in the same release that he looked forward to returning.

"I'm very appreciative of the opportunity that Mr. Leonsis and Ernie have given me and I'm thrilled to be returning to work with these players and this organization," said Wittman. "I felt that we made significant progress throughout last season and we are all looking forward to having a full summer, training camp and season to continue to improve this team."

Wittman took the helm in January, replacing Flip Saunders. The Wizards went 18-31 following the coaching change, and concluded the season with a six-game winning streak.

For more information on the NBA, please check out the SB Nation NBA Hub Page. For more information on the Washington Wizards, check out the SB Nation blog Bullets Forever.

Randy Wittman To Receive Two-Year Head Coaching Contract From Wizards, According To Report

Adrian Wojnarowski of of Yahoo! Sports is reporting that the Washington Wizards will give Randy Wittman a two-year deal to become the full-time head coach of the team.

This comes after Wittman led the team to an 18-31 mark in coaching the team for the final 49 games of the 2011-2012 season after taking over for the fired Flip Saunders in January.

Wojnarowski also reports that the Wizards are not making a large financial investment in Wittman's contract, as they were not interested in more expensive, high-profile coaches on the market.

Wittman has a career record of 118-236 in six seasons as a head coach between the Cleveland Cavaliers, Minnesota Timberwolves and the Washington Wizards. He has never led a team to the playoffs.

For more information on the NBA, please check out the SB Nation NBA Hub Page. For more information on the Washington Wizards, check out the SB Nation blog Bullets Forever.

Randy Wittman To Coach Wizards Next Season, According To Report

While nothing has been confirmed yet, more and more signs are pointing toward Randy Wittman coaching the Washington Wizards in the 2012-13 NBA season. The latest being a report from ESPN's Ric Bucher that says the Wizards will keep Wittman on for next year but won't extend his contract, which has one year left on it.

However, according to Bucher, the Wizards might've went looking for a new coach if they'd landed the top pick in the 2012 draft:

Had the Wizards won the draft lottery and earned the right to draft Kentucky's Anthony Davis, the cost of investing in a higher-profile coach might've been worthwhile, a source said, but with the Wizards still in rebuilding mode and the job Wittman did with their young players last season, the team will stand pat for now.

At Bullets Forever, Mike Prada sums things up: "I'm not entirely sure why the Wizards haven't just come out and officially said Wittman has the job for another year, but in any event, this is the situation."

For more information on the NBA, please check out the SB Nation NBA Hub Page. For more information on the Washington Wizards, check out the SB Nation blog Bullets Forever.

Wizards' Decision On Randy Wittman's Future Not Finalized, According To Reports

The Washington Wizards have not finalized a decision on Randy Wittman's future with the club, according to Scott Jackson of ESPN 980 and SB Nation DC. Earlier reports indicated that the Wizards had decided to retain Wittman, but it now appears they're leaving themselves some room and refusing to completely confirm that report. Via @JacksonSports:

Spoke with #Wizards tonight and they want to make it clear nothing official on the Randy Wittman as head coach next season.(continued)

— Scott Jackson(@JacksonSports) May 29, 2012

Ernie Grunfeld would only tell Jackson that Wittman is "under contract" for next season when asked specifically if the coach would be back next year. Wittman did sign a two-year contract prior to the 2011-2012 season and has one more year left on the deal. After speaking with a source, Mike Prada at Bullets Forever surmises that the Wizards are leaving some wiggle room by refusing to make it official, but they will likely take some time and then confirm that they're moving forward with Wittman -- analogous to the Frank Vogel situation last year with the Pacers.

For more information on the NBA, please check out the SB Nation NBA Hub Page. For more information on the Washington Wizards, check out the SB Nation blog Bullets Forever.

Wizards To Retain Randy Wittman, According To Reports

Though compiling an 18-31 mark as the team's interim coach, Randy Wittman will reportedly return to the Washington Wizards next season.