Doc Rivers is departing as head coach. milwaukee bucksSources told ESPN on Sunday.
The Bucks will begin their third head coaching search in three years. The Bucks will pay Rivers his eight-figure salary for the 2026–27 season. Sources said the franchise and Rivers are discussing whether he will take an advisory role in the organization.
It’s the beginning of a summer of change for the Bucks after Rivers went 97-103 in three seasons in Milwaukee, including two first-round playoff exits and missing the postseason and play-in tournaments this year.
Team sources said there was a Season-long separation between Rivers and playersIncluding examples that rubbed the locker room the wrong way.
Rivers took over as coach of the Bucks in late January 2024, replacing Adrian Griffin, who went 30–13 in the role before being fired. Rivers guided the Bucks to a 17–19 mark to finish the 2023–24 campaign. In Rivers’ first full season in 2024–25, Milwaukee went 48–34.
River had to deal with injuries to its top players each season. damian lillard Andgiannis antetokounmpo Antetokounmpo may miss time in the 2024 and 2025 playoffs and be healthy for only 36 games in 2025-26.
Rivers, who was named to the Naismith Hall of Fame Class of 2026 and led the 2007–08 boston celtics For NBA championships, he ranks sixth among NBA coaches in regular season wins and fourth in career playoff wins.
The Bucks broke their streak of nine consecutive seasons in the playoffs this year. They have not won a playoff series since 2022.
milwaukee wins the 2021 championship mike budenholzerWho were let go in 2023.
ESPN’s Jamal Collier contributed to this report.
