After a few months of absence, Doc Rivers could soon return to coaching in the NBA.
- Doc Rivers Training Rumors
- Rivers finalizes deal to become Bucks’ next head coach
- Rivers is the main focus of the Bucks
- Rivers ‘at the forefront of Bucks’ pursuit’
- Bucks and Rivers working on agreement without agreement in force
- CNN Sports reports that Doc Rivers accepted the Bucks’ offer
- Bucks approached Rivers to discuss coaching vacancy
- Rivers is the preferred coaching choice of the Bucks brass
- Rivers ‘near top of list’ of Bucks training targets
- Rivers ‘a serious candidate’ for Bucks coach job
- Bucks will ‘seriously consider’ Rivers for coaching vacancy
Rivers began the 2023-24 season as an analyst on ESPN’s main broadcast team, but has now become a serious candidate to become the next head coach of the Bucks, who parted ways with first-year head coach, Adrian Griffin, just 43 games into the season. .
With Milwaukee reportedly looking for an accomplished veteran coach, Rivers’ status as Coach of the Year and NBA champion puts him near the top of the list to take over the East’s No. 2 job. Rivers took his first NBA head coaching job in 1999 and coached at least part of each of the next 24 seasons before being fired by the 76ers following a playoff exit last May.
This is what the latest rumors surrounding Rivers indicate about his future potential as Milwaukee’s next leading man.
Doc Rivers Training Rumors
Rivers finalizes deal to become Bucks’ next head coach
Date: January 24
ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reports that Rivers and the Bucks are finalizing a deal that would make him the franchise’s next head coach.
Chris Haynes of TNT Sports and The farces of Athletic Charania each followed up with reports that aligned with Wojnarowski’s.
Rivers is the main focus of the Bucks
Date: January 24
ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski joins Frank Isola and Brian Scalabrine on SiriusXM NBA Radio’s “The Starting Lineup,” where he shares that Rivers “is the focus of this search,” adding that the Bucks and Rivers were in communication throughout Tuesday January 23.
Wojnarowski went on to say that given what Milwaukee is looking for in a head coach, their options are limited and Rivers stands out above the rest.
Rivers ‘at the forefront of Bucks’ pursuit’
Date: January 24
During a late-night appearance on SportsCenter, ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski Share that there have been conversations between Rivers, his representation and the Bucks board.
Wojnarowski adds that Rivers is “at the forefront of the Bucks’ pursuit” given his pedigree as a championship coach and his familiarity with contending teams in the Eastern Conference.
Bucks and Rivers working on agreement without agreement in force
Date: January 24
Chris Haynes of TNT Sports reports that the Bucks and Rivers “continue to work toward an agreement to make him the franchise’s next head coach, but there is no agreement at this time,” refuting a previous report that Rivers had accepted the job as Milwaukee’s next leading man.
CNN Sports reports that Doc Rivers accepted the Bucks’ offer
Date: January 23
Between games during an NBA doubleheader on TNT, host Adam Lefkoe reports that Rivers has accepted an offer to become Milwaukee’s head coach, according to CNN Sports.
BREAKING: Bucks are hiring Doc Rivers as HC, according to CNN Sports pic.twitter.com/CnWsvah2kB
— NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) January 24, 2024
Bucks approached Rivers to discuss coaching vacancy
Date: January 23
Adding to previous reports of mutual interest between the two sides, ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski Share that Milwaukee has reached out to Rivers and both sides have begun engaging in talks about the coaching position.
Rivers is the preferred coaching choice of the Bucks brass
Date: January 23
When news of Griffin’s firing began to circulate, The Athletic’s Shams Charania details what went wrong in Milwaukee. Charania notes that, following the Bucks’ loss to the Pacers in the Season Tournament, Rivers “began serving as an informal consultant to Griffin at the Bucks’ behest.”
Following Griffin’s firing, Charania adds that Rivers is “the preferred choice of key stakeholders.”
Rivers ‘near top of list’ of Bucks training targets
Date: January 23
10 minutes after the news of Griffin’s firing, ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reports that Milwaukee is “planning to quickly search for a small group of experienced and available head coaches,” and Rivers meets the criteria and rises to the top of the list of candidates.
Rivers ‘a serious candidate’ for Bucks coach job
Date: January 23
Following up on the latest news on Milwaukee’s decision to fire Griffin, The Athletic’s Shams Charania reports that Rivers “has emerged as a serious candidate” to become the Bucks’ new head coach.
Bucks will ‘seriously consider’ Rivers for coaching vacancy
Date: January 23
Less than five minutes after reporting that Griffin would be fired, TNT Sports’ Chris Haynes grades that the Bucks will “seriously consider” Rivers to take over as head coach midseason.
