Coach Wes Unseld Jr Expected to Remain With Wizards

Coach Wes Unseld Jr. is not expected to be replaced after the Wizards fired GM Tommy Sheppard earlier this week, per Josh Robbins of The Athletic.

Instead, Unseld’s job is safe, as team owner Ted Leonsis thinks highly of the coach. Unseld Jr., of course, is the son of late Washington legend Wes Unseld, a former player, coach and GM of the franchise.

The Wizards finished 35-47 this past season and failed to reach the play-in tournament this season, leading to the dismissal of Sheppard. Leonsis said Sheppard’s replacement will be someone from outside the organization.

“Failure to make the playoffs the last two seasons was very disappointing to our organization and our fans,” Leonsis said in a statement.

With that in mind, as Robbins noted, Unseld will likely be under a microscope in 2023-24, given that GMs often like to bring in their own coach. 

Unseld Jr., 47, has been head coach of the Wizards for two seasons. They finished 35-47 in his first as well, giving him an all-time coaching record of 70-94. 

Prior to becoming head coach of the Wizards, Unseld spent 16 years as an NBA assistant with the Wizards, Magic and Nuggets.