Following his run with the Philadelphia 76ers, Doc Rivers hardly took any time off before embarking on his new journey in the coaching world.
After interviewing with the Phoenix Suns, Rivers took a media position while consulting for the Milwaukee Bucks. Midway through the year, the Bucks cut ties with Adrian Griffin in shocking fashion and replaced him with Rivers.
A few years later, the Bucks are in the same position. They are going to be looking for a new head coach as Doc Rivers stepped down after the 2025-2026 NBA season.
Is that it for Doc Rivers? The ex-Sixers head coach made a statement on his future.
Doc Rivers Reveals His Mindset After Bucks Stint
GettyMILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN – FEBRUARY 06: Head coach Doc Rivers of the Milwaukee Bucks looks on during the first quarter against the Indiana Pacers at Fiserv Forum on February 06, 2026 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Patrick McDermott/Getty Images)
“Yeah,” Rivers said bluntly when Bill Simmons asked if this was it for coaching.
“I mean, we met about, I want to say, seven weeks ago, me and ownership. We had a great meeting. They asked me what I wanted to do. One of the owners says, ‘You know, one plan is, if we do this, you can hang in there for a year or two,’ and I literally said, ‘Oh no.’ I was a matter of fact. I told my coaches, like, I’m done.”
Rivers, a former player turned coach, has been around the NBA since 1983. He was drafted in the second round out of Marquette.
The former guard’s playing career wrapped up in 1996. He was the head coach of the Orlando Magic in 1999. A Hall of Fame career was born from there.
“I love coaching. Loved it. I had a lot of success at it. I had some way more ups than downs, you know? But at the end of the day, I’ve given 40 years–47 years, or whatever, I don’t even know–straight. Straight, like, with no off time, and I just wanted a break. I want to get away. The grandkids and just life in general. Man, like, right now I can tell you, I think it was time, so I would be surprised if I coached another game.”
GettyPHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA – MARCH 29: Head coach Doc Rivers of the Philadelphia 76ers reacts during the second quarter against the Dallas Mavericks at Wells Fargo Center on March 29, 2023 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images)
If this is truly it for Rivers, he finishes his coaching career with five different stints.
Five seasons with the Orlando Magic, nine seasons with the Boston Celtics, seven seasons with the Los Angeles Clippers, three seasons with the Sixers, and the last three years with the Bucks.
Overall, Rivers won 58.0% of his games. He had 21 playoff appearances, two Eastern Conference Championship titles, and one NBA Finals victory with the Celtics in 2007-2008.