Doc Rivers is leaving his position as head coach following a miserable season in which the Bucks finished 30–52.
Following Milwaukee’s season-ending loss to the 76ers, ESPN’s Shams Charania revealed on Sunday that Rivers was leaving his position as coach. The 64-year-old Rivers went 97–103 in two and a half seasons after taking over in the midst of the 2023–24 campaign.
The seasoned head coach, who has been on the sidelines since 1999, recently alluded to retirement by saying he wanted to spend more time with his grandchildren. Although it’s unclear if Rivers’ NBA career is coming to an end, the team will undoubtedly have a new player on the sidelines for the upcoming campaign.
According to Charania, Rivers and Milwaukee are still debating whether or not he will accept a “advisory role” with the team. He affirms that the leaving coach will receive his “eight-figure salary” from the Bucks in 2026–2027.
Later in 2026, Rivers will be admitted into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame. In the meantime, Milwaukee is facing a major offseason of change as it searches for a new coach and a solution to the Giannis Antetokounmpo conundrum.
Rivers announced his resignation in an official statement on Monday, a little more than 12 hours after it was revealed that he was leaving. He stated: “I have truly loved my time in Milwaukee,”. “Coming back to where I got my start, to a city that has always embraced me, has been a privilege. I am disappointed that things did not turn out the way any of us hoped, but I am deeply grateful for this experience, the relationships built, and unwavering support from our fans and the community. Milwaukee will always mean a lot to me, and this chapter will hold a special place in my heart.”
The chaotic way Rivers joined the team set the tone for his time in Milwaukee.
After being let go by the 76ers in 2023, the veteran NBA player chose to work as a color commentator for ESPN the next season. Rather, he abruptly left the team midway through to join the Bucks as rookie head coach Adrian Griffin. Although Griffin had Milwaukee playing well, there were reports of dissatisfaction in the player room, so the owners decided to fire the inexperienced star and replace him with Rivers. The team was 31–14 at the time.
