The Washington Wizards ended their head coaching search Wednesday evening by removing Brian Keefe's interim tag, making him the team's full-time head coach. To some, the move comes as a surprise as team president Michael Winger and general manager Will Dawkins suggested the team would undertake a full-fledged hiring process en route to determining the next head coach in Washington. For others, it seemed clear all along that Keefe was the man for the job.
With former head coach Wes Unseld Jr. displaced from the position last January, the new-look Wizards front office installed Keefe as the team's interim head coach for the remainder of the 2023-24 season. In his 39 game sample in the driver's seat, Keefe left a lasting impression that he could steer the ship in the same direction Winger and Dawkins hope to take the District's basketball team in.
Fans on Twitter share excitement regarding Brian Keefe's future in D.C.
While last season technically served as the first season of the Wizards' rebuilding process, considering the number of damage control transactions the new front office crew had to make, figures in the organization prefer to refer to the season as "year zero" of the process. Now entering the true first year under Winger and Dawkins, the Wizards have opted to stand pat with Keefe at the helm.
Guide us through the rebuild Keefe pic.twitter.com/Oz8xcXGCaK
— ZFARM (@ZFARM_) May 29, 2024
Several fans are encouraged by the team's decision to stay in-house with their hiring choice, hoping to see Keefe continue building towards making this Wizards roster one that can compete with the NBA's top teams in a potential postseason setting.
With Brian Keefe serving as interim HC:
— Greg Finberg (@GregFinberg) May 29, 2024
Avdija: 17.7 PPG, 8.6 RPG
Poole: 18.4 PPG, 5.5 APG
Kuzma: 23.0 PPG, 6.7 RPG
Keefe’s willingness to shake up the rotation, emphasis on improved defense and highly-touted player development history make this an exceptional hire.
As the Wizards currently hold the rights to the second pick in the 2024 NBA Draft, the player development history of Keefe is certainly something the front office in Washington considered in their decision at head coach.
With a rebuilding team, developing young prospects into formidable NBA talents is key to returning a franchise to glory. For the Wizards, the choice of who will lead this effort has been made. With the fanbase in the District on his side, it is now up to Keefe to continue this charge.