New York, Jan 25 (IANS) The struggling Washington Wizards fired Flip Saunders as their head coach after the team’s 2-15 record in the National Basketball Association (NBA) league, replacing him with assistant Randy Wittman for the remainder of the season.

“We felt the team had become unresponsive and we will look to Randy to provide a different voice and a change in philosophy moving forward,” Wizards president Ernie Grunfeld was quoted as saying by Xinhua.

Although Saunders has compiled a career coaching record of 638-526, he leaves the Wizards in his third season with a 51-130 mark.

Armed with core of talented youngsters including, John Wall, Andray Blatche, Javale McGee, and Nick Young, Saunders could not get the team heading into right direction.

“We have struggled as a team at times this season, but we have also seen a great deal of potential from our young players and glimpses of what we can accomplish together as a team,” said Wittman,who owns a 100-207 record in coaching stints with Cleveland Cavaliers and Minnesota Timberwolves.

Wittman will get his first test Wednesday when the Wizards host Charlotte Bobcats.

Saunders becomes the second NBA coach fired this season after the Sacramento Kings dismissed Paul Westphal Jan 5.