Randy Wittman officially gets contract extension from Wizards

When I recently wrote about Randy Wittman’s strange coaching odyssey, I said of the Wizards coach:

Nobody has coached a team with such a big turnaround that finished with a winning record and not received a Coach of the Year vote in at least the last 14 years. It’s probably been longer, but I can’t find full voting further back.

Thanks to the NBA office, I can now answer that unresolved question. Since the league introduced the award in 1963, four coaches have met that criteria:

• Rick Adelman (1999 Sacramento Kings)
• Gregg Popovich (1998 San Antonio Spurs)
• Bill Fitch (1985 Houston Rockets
• Tom Nissalke (1979 Houston Rockets)

On the whole, that’s a pretty impressive list of coaches. Apparently Coach of the Year voters don’t always recognize coaching talent – even when a big turnaround and a winning record, common criteria for the award, are staring them in the face.

But maybe it just takes time. Adelman in 1999 and Popovich in 1998 probably weren’t the caliber of coaches they eventually became. If Wittman develops into their class, the Wizards will be very happy.

That’s because Washington, as expected, will bring back Wittman for next season. Wizards release:

Washington Wizards president Ernie Grunfeld announced today that the team has signed head coach Randy Wittman to a contract extension. Per team policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed.

“We are pleased with the progress the team has made on the court and with the culture we have been able to build with Randy as our head coach,” said Grunfeld. “We will look to continue that momentum with him deservedly leading this group of dedicated and hard-working players.”

“This team and this organization have made significant strides over the last two-and-a-half seasons and I’m excited to be a part of the next step in that process,” said Wittman. “The players and staff all feel that this is the beginning of something special and we’re dedicated to building on our positive accomplishments while striving to improve and reach the next level of success.”

“Randy’s leadership and preparation allowed him to implement and build an unselfish team mentality over the last several seasons where defense comes first and every player is held accountable,” said Wizards majority owner Ted Leonsis. “The result is a Washington Wizards team that proudly represents our fans and our city both on and off the court and has us looking eagerly toward what we can accomplish moving forward.”

The contract is for three years and $9 million, though the final year is not guaranteed, according J. Michael of CSN Washington. That means Wittman will be a lame duck again in 2015-16.

All along the way, Wittman has – deservedly, I’d say – drawn doubters.

But he got the Wizards to believe in him this year.

Now, to keep his job for more than a couple years, he’ll have to do it all over again.