T-Wolves fire Wittman; McHale takes over

MINNEAPOLIS, Dec. 8 (UPI) -- The Minnesota Timberwolves, with just four wins in 19 games this season, fired Coach Randy Wittman Monday and replaced him with team executive Kevin McHale.

"There were certain goals and expectations that we had for this team at the start of the season, and we have not lived up to them," team owner Glen Taylor said. "I am disappointed in our record and believe that we have more talent than our record indicates."

McHale, a former Boston Celtics star, has been the NBA team's vice president of basketball operations since 1995. He will leave that post to take the coaching job.

The Timberwolves have had a 38-105 record since Wittman became coach Jan. 23, 2007. Wittman's NBA career coaching record is 100-206, including a stint with the Cleveland Cavaliers (1999-2001)

McHale coached the Timberwolves once before, guiding them to a 19-12 record as interim coach for the last games of the 2004-05 season.

"Kevin has assembled the players on this team, and believes in their talent and skill level," Taylor said. "It is my expectation that Kevin will be able to get the most out of our team and our players in his new role as head coach."

Wittman joins Oklahoma City's P.J. Carlesimo, Toronto's Sam Mitchell and Washington's Eddie Jordan as NBA coaches fired this season.