Former Grizzlies Head Coach Emerges as Top Candidate to Replace Doc Rivers with Bucks

Taylor Jenkins could take over as Milwaukee's new head coach after a challenging 2025-26 season.

Apr. 6, 2026 at 4:39pm

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting fragmented basketball players and coaches in overlapping planes of navy, green, and orange, conveying the dynamic energy and uncertainty of a potential coaching transition for the Milwaukee Bucks.A coaching change in Milwaukee could reshape the Bucks' future as they look to rebound from a tough 2025-26 season.Today in Milwaukee

According to NBA insider Marc Stein, there is an 'anticipation' that the Milwaukee Bucks and head coach Doc Rivers could be heading for a 'parting or job restructuring' after a difficult 2025-26 campaign. Stein reports that former Memphis Grizzlies head coach Taylor Jenkins has emerged as a 'prime candidate' to replace Rivers on the Bucks' sideline.

Why it matters

The Bucks have been a consistent contender in the Eastern Conference under Rivers' leadership, but a disappointing 2025-26 season has apparently put his future with the team in question. Bringing in a new head coach like Jenkins, who has prior experience with the Bucks organization, could provide a fresh perspective and potential path forward for the franchise.

The details

Jenkins served as an assistant coach for the Bucks during the 2018-19 season under head coach Mike Budenholzer before going on to become the head coach of the Memphis Grizzlies for six seasons. The Bucks could look to shift Rivers into a front office role while replacing him on the sideline with Jenkins, who has emerged as a 'prime candidate' for the head coaching job in Milwaukee.

  • The Bucks are reportedly considering changes to their coaching staff after a challenging 2025-26 season.

The players

Doc Rivers

The current head coach of the Milwaukee Bucks, who has led the team for several seasons but may be headed for a 'parting or job restructuring' with the franchise.

Taylor Jenkins

The former head coach of the Memphis Grizzlies, who has emerged as a 'prime candidate' to replace Doc Rivers as the head coach of the Milwaukee Bucks.

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What they’re saying

“There's an anticipation that Bucks coach Doc Rivers and the franchise could be heading for some sort of parting or job restructuring after such a trying 2025-26 campaign.”

— Marc Stein, NBA Insider

What’s next

The Bucks will likely make a decision on Rivers' future and the head coaching position in the coming weeks or months, as the 2026-27 NBA season approaches.

The takeaway

The Bucks are considering a significant change to their coaching staff, with former Grizzlies head coach Taylor Jenkins emerging as the top candidate to replace the veteran Doc Rivers on the sideline in Milwaukee. This potential shakeup comes after a disappointing 2025-26 season for the Bucks, who will be looking to regain their status as a contender in the Eastern Conference.