NBA Rumors: Brian Keefe Has ‘Strong’ Chance to Become Wizards’ Full-Time Head Coach

Paul KasabianFeatured Columnist IIApril 5, 2024

Stephen Gosling/NBAE via Getty Images

Brian Keefe, who became the Washington Wizards’ interim head coach in January, “is considered to hold a strong candidacy for the full-time position,” per league sources to Jake Fischer of Yahoo Sports.

The Wizards will hold a coaching search at the end of this season to find a full-time leader after former head coach Wes Unseld Jr. was elevated to a front-office role, per Fischer.

Washington is in the midst of a rebuild after parting ways with Bradley Beal and Kristaps Porziņģis last offseason. The Wizards have struggled mightily this year, sitting second-last in the Eastern Conference with a 15-62 record.

The 47-year-old Keefe played college ball at UC Irvine and UNLV in the 1990s before beginning his coaching career at South Florida in 2000. He then worked at Bryant from 2001-2005 before jumping to the NBA as a video coordinator for the San Antonio Spurs.

In 2007, Keefe began his career as an assistant coach, first with the Seattle SuperSonics. He stayed with the team through its move to Oklahoma City and remained with the organization until 2015, when he left for the New York Knicks. Keefe made stops with the Los Angeles Lakers, Thunder again, Brooklyn Nets and Wizards, where he found himself in 2023.

The Wizards have shown some improvement under Keefe. Before the coaching change, Washington went 7-36. Now the team has gone 8-26 with Keefe in charge. He’s received some good reviews from fans for his work.

DCFanZone @DCFanZone1Brian Keefe may not be the long term answer

But the adjustments & improvements he made for this team are undeniable #ForTheDistrict

Greg Finberg @GregFinbergEnd of 3: Wiz up 91-86

Brian Keefe has his squad playing terrific team basketball. Ball is moving, guys are cutting and the offense is humming. Defense looks good as well.

Down a ton of players and still competing hard. Can’t ask for anything more, regardless of the result.

Dialante @DeetalksalotWizards fans how yall feeling about Brian Keefe. I like him. Yes its been issues i mean the roster is ass. But we have also been seeing some really nice developments from the team and certain individuals. I give him credit

It’s far from a foregone conclusion that Keefe will get the job, but he’s clearly a strong candidate to get the position at this point.