Randy Wittman out as Wizards coach

Randy Wittman will not return as coach of the Washington Wizards next season, two people familiar with the decision told USA TODAY Sports.

They requested anonymity because they two were not authorized to speak publicly until the Wizards made an official announcement.

The Wizards, like several teams looking for a new coach, are expected to conduct a wide-ranging search but a few names have surfaced for a job with appeal: former Oklahoma City coach Scott Brooks, former Phoenix Suns coach Jeff Hornacek and former New Orleans coach Monty Williams, who is from the area and is close with Thunder forward Kevin Durant, a free agent in the summer.

Brooks was Durant’s coach with the Thunder. Of course, that’s no guarantee in the Durant sweepstakes but the Wizards will still take a strong look at Brooks who molded the Thunder into a perennial contender with young, talented players.

Brooks could be the right coach for John Wall, Bradley Beal, Otto Porter, Kelly Oubre and possibly a lottery pick in the 2016 draft. Brooks, a California native, is also fond of D.C.

All things Wizards: Latest Washington Wizards news, schedule, roster, stats, injury updates and more.

Wittman did a nice job shaping the Wizards following Flip Saunders’ dismissal in 2011-12. He led them to the playoffs in 2014 and 2015, but Washington stalled this season – a combination of injuries and poor defense leading to its demise in a 41-41 season.

Wittman was 178-199 with the Wizards and had them one game from the Eastern Conference finals last season. Had John Wall not been injured, Washington might have beaten Atlanta in the conference semifinals. That didn’t happen, and the Wizards’ decision to play with a faster pace offensively this season hurt them on the defensive end, and the offense wasn’t good enough to compensate.