Milwaukee Bucks Set to Name Doc Rivers as New Head Coach

According to NBA insiders Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN and reporter Shams Charania, the Milwaukee Bucks are set to name Doc Rivers as their new head coach. The deal is reportedly being finalized to bring the Marquette University alumnus back to the Cream City.

Doc Rivers has agreed on a deal to become the new head coach of the Milwaukee Bucks, sources tell @TheAthletic @Stadium. pic.twitter.com/44lMPIozoA— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) January 24, 2024

BREAKING: Doc Rivers is finalizing an agreement to become the next coach of the Milwaukee Bucks, sources tell ESPN. The Bucks are getting the coach they targeted over the past 24 hours. pic.twitter.com/SP16vhYJDP— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) January 24, 2024

The decision to hire Rivers comes just a day after the Bucks dismissed coach Adrian Griffin. Concerns about Griffin’s ability to connect with the players and the team’s defensive performance led to the search for a veteran head coach, despite the team having one of the top records in the NBA. Civic Media’s Mike Clemens interviewed Griffin at the start of his run, just a few months ago.

Doc Rivers brings a wealth of experience to the Bucks, with a 24-year coaching career in the NBA. He has previously coached the Orlando Magic, Boston Celtics, Los Angeles Clippers, and most recently the Philadelphia 76ers. Rivers is currently ninth on the all-time NBA coaching wins list, with over 1,000 wins under his belt.

One of the highlights of Rivers’ coaching career was leading the Boston Celtics to an NBA championship in 2008. He also boasts a playoff record of 111-104 and made the conference finals with the Celtics in 2012, although they ultimately lost to the Miami Heat in a seven-game series.

Before his coaching career, Rivers had a successful playing career, spending 13 years in the NBA. He played college basketball for Marquette University from 1980 to 1983, where he was a standout player. In recognition of his contributions to the team, his No. 31 jersey is retired by the university and hangs in his possible new home.