Wolves to replace Wittman with McHale

By Marc Stein

Kevin McHale is back on the bench for the Minnesota Timberwolves ... and out of the front office.

The Wolves announced the widely anticipated firing of Randy Wittman on Monday morning once McHale agreed to take over as head coach, but still managed to deliver a surprise with the news that the much-maligned McHale is relinquishing his long-held duties as Minnesota's vice president of basketball operations.

An official press release from the club states that McHale has assumed "head coaching responsibilities of the team on a full-time basis from this point forward" so he can "concentrate on his coaching duties."

It was not immediately clear if McHale will have any chance to return to a personnel post in the future or if staying with the organization he joined in 1993 depends on him succeeding on the bench. The Wolves have also yet to announce whether the bulk of McHale's front-office duties will be absorbed by general manager Jim Stack or assistant general manager Fred Hoiberg, with Hoiberg regarded as McHale's eventual successor for some time.

McHale and Wolves owner Glen Taylor will be addressing the media at a 3 p.m. ET news conference after McHale coaches his first practice. It's the NBA's fourth firing already this season, following dismissals in Oklahoma City (P.J. Carlesimo), Washington (Eddie Jordan) and Toronto (Sam Mitchell).

Wolves to replace Wittman with McHale....