Doc Rivers and the Bucks Part Ways: Milwaukee Heads Into Third Coaching Search in Three Years

Doc Rivers is out in Milwaukee. After three seasons steering the Bucks, the legendary coach and the franchise are parting ways, sources told ESPN on Sunday. It's the third head coaching search in three years for a team that's supposed to be built to win now, and it signals another major shift for a roster that just missed the postseason entirely.

Here's what went down: Rivers compiled a 97-103 record over his three seasons in Milwaukee. That's not a typo. In 2024-25, the Bucks went 48-34 during Rivers' first full season. This past year? They didn't even make the play-in tournament. Two first-round playoff exits sandwiched around getting completely left out of the postseason picture. For a franchise with championship expectations, that's a nightmare.

The Disconnect in the Locker Room

Behind the scenes, there was a season-long disconnect between Rivers and his players, sources said. We're talking about instances that annoyed the locker room. When your coach and your guys aren't on the same page for a full season, that's a bigger problem than just the win-loss record.

Rivers took over in late January 2024, replacing Adrian Griffin, who had gone 30-13 before getting fired. Rivers steadied the ship and finished 17-19 that season. But injuries ravaged the roster in each of his three campaigns. Key players missed significant time in the playoffs during 2024 and 2025, and one of the team's stars was healthy for only 36 games this past season.

What's Next For the Bucks

The franchise will pay Rivers his eight-figure salary for the 2026-27 season. They're currently discussing whether he moves into an advisory role with the organization. Meanwhile, Milwaukee's championship window feels like it's closing. They haven't won a playoff series since 2022 and snapped a streak of nine consecutive postseason appearances this season.

This is a summer of major change coming for the Bucks. Rivers, a Hall of Fame coach who led the 2007-08 Boston Celtics to an NBA championship and ranks among the all-time greats in regular-season wins and playoff victories, is moving on. Now Milwaukee has to figure out who's next and how to turn this ship around.

This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.