After less than three seasons at the helm, Wes Unseld Jr. is out as head coach of the Washington Wizards and will transition to a front office advisory role, Monumental Basketball President Michael Winger announced Thursday morning.
"After several thoughtful conversations with Wes, we determined together that a change was needed for the benefit of the team," Winger said in a team release. The Wizards, amid a rebuilding year, fell to 7-36 on the 2023-24 NBA season with a 118-107 defeat to the Minnesota Timberwolves on Wednesday.
"Wes embodies the characteristics we value in our organization and his vast basketball experience. will be an asset to the front office as we progress toward our long-term goals," Winger's statement continued. "We are thankful that he will continue his contributions to our organization and community."
The Wizards announced they will name an interim head coach later on Thursday before undertaking "a comprehensive search" after the season. Update 9:45 a.m.: ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski reported that top assistant Brian Keefe would serve as the interim head coach for the remainder of the year.
Unseld Jr. was named head coach in July 2021 prior to owner Ted Leonsis' hiring of Winger as team president and Will Dawkins as GM this offseason when Tommy Sheppard was the team's lead basketball decision-maker.
He compiled a record of 77-130 (.372) during his time with the team, which was marked by the end of the Bradley Beal era and a rebuild that began this offseason under Winger and Dawkins.
"I am grateful to have served as head coach of the Washington Wizards," Unseld Jr. said in the team release. "I look forward to this new opportunity to work toward our organization's continued progress."