The Milwaukee Bucks have hired Doc Rivers as the new head coach after parting ways with Adrian Griffin a few days prior. The firing of former head coach Griffin was a shock as the team had a 30-13 record and was in second place in the Eastern Conference.
Adrian Griffin was hired by the Bucks in the offseason after 15 years as an assistant coach. His last job as an assistant was with the Toronto Raptors from 2018-2023. Bucks hired Griffin in the offseason after firing Mike Budenholzer, who won a title in the 2021 season. With Griffin being fired after just 43 games, he is now tied with Rudy Tomjanovich for the third-shortest tenure in NBA history. Bob Weiss with the Seattle Supersonics at 30 games and Jerry Tarkanian with the San Antonio Spurs at 20 games are the shortest tenures in the NBA.
Doc Rivers parted ways with the Philadelphia 76ers at the end of the 2023 playoffs after three seasons. In his time with the 76ers, Rivers led the team to three straight playoff appearances, coming up short in the second round each year. Despite not reaching the finals with the 76ers, Rivers has a lot of experience as a head coach (24 seasons). He also won an NBA title with the Boston Celtics back in the 2007-08 season. Bucks have added Dave Joerger and Rex Kalamian as assistant coaches on the staff of Doc Rivers, both of which have worked with Rivers in the past.
Despite the winning record with Adrian Griffin as head coach, the Milwaukee Bucks hope that adding an experienced coach like Doc Rivers will help guide the team with championship aspirations back to the finals. Bucks currently stand second in offensive rating led by star players Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard. They are also in 19th for defensive rating, which has been their main issue for them this season. Since the title back in 2021, the Bucks have been a team known for their defensive ability. With the trade of Jrue Holiday, their defensive presence has taken a hit. With the new coaching change Bucks hope to get back to that defensive presence and for Rivers to lead them back to the NBA finals.