Wizards dismiss Jordan

WASHINGTON -- Even without Gilbert Arenas and another injured starter, the Washington Wizards never imagined they would be as bad as the franchise ever has been.

So after opening 1-10 to match the worst start in team history, the Wizards fired Coach Eddie Jordan on Monday and gave director of player development Ed Tapscott his first NBA head coaching job.

The coach at American University in the 1980s, and an NBA front-office employee for years since, Tapscott will make his professional coaching debut tonight against the visiting Golden State Warriors.

Tapscott was given the title of interim coach and will run the Wizards until the end of the season. Randy Ayers will be Tapscott’s top assistant.

Jordan, the Eastern Conference’s coach at the 2007 All-Star game, was in his sixth season with the Wizards. He led the team to the playoffs each of the last four.

-- ASSOCIATED PRESS