Bucks officially announced Doc Rivers as head coach with an exclamatory statement that stirred up views

Doc Rivers is set to make a return to coaching, taking over from Adrian Griffin, who was dismissed by the Milwaukee Bucks after just 43 games. The Bucks announced the hiring of Rivers on Friday night, and he will be introduced in a news conference on Saturday. Rivers, whose No. 31 college jersey hangs in the rafters at Marquette, where he played from 1980–83, expressed enthusiasm about joining the organization.

The move marks a significant shift in coaching experience, as Griffin, a rookie head coach, had no prior experience in the role before being hired by the Bucks last summer. In contrast, Rivers brings a wealth of coaching experience, having won an NBA title with the Boston Celtics in 2008. His coaching career spans almost a quarter century, with stints at the Orlando Magic, Celtics, Los Angeles Clippers, and Philadelphia 76ers.

Rivers boasts an impressive coaching record, with 1,097 regular-season wins and a 111-104 playoff record. He is one victory away from tying Larry Brown for the eighth-most regular-season wins in NBA history. The Bucks, currently second in the Eastern Conference standings behind the Celtics, hope that Rivers can lead them to a deep postseason run with a roster featuring stars like two-time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo and seven-time All-NBA guard Damian Lillard.

Despite his successful coaching career, Rivers has faced recent postseason frustrations, getting fired by the 76ers last year after a third straight second-round exit from the playoffs. His teams haven’t reached the NBA Finals since his 2010 Celtics lost Game 7 to the Los Angeles Lakers. Both his Clippers and 76ers teams failed to advance beyond the second round.

Milwaukee sees Rivers as a leader with a wealth of experience, and players like Bucks forward Bobby Portis and guard Pat Connaughton expressed confidence in his abilities. Rivers’ appointment comes as the Bucks aim for a strong finish in the regular season, acknowledging the challenging schedule ahead. The coaching change is viewed as an opportunity for Rivers to bring his leadership and championship-winning perspective to guide the Bucks through the postseason, addressing the deep playoff run that has eluded him in recent years.