Doc Rivers Retires After Bucks' Disastrous Season

Veteran coach cites need for break after 47 years in basketball

Apr. 18, 2026 at 5:27am

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting a fragmented basketball court scene with overlapping planes of color, conveying the complex and multifaceted nature of coaching in the NBA.The abrupt end of Doc Rivers' coaching career reflects the intense pressures and challenges of leading an NBA team in the modern era.Today in Milwaukee

Longtime NBA head coach Doc Rivers has announced his retirement from coaching after a disastrous 32-50 season with the Milwaukee Bucks. Rivers, who has an NBA championship and Coach of the Year award on his resume, told The Ringer's Bill Simmons that he is 'done' with coaching and is ready to step away from the game to spend more time with his family and grandchildren.

Why it matters

Rivers' decision to retire comes after a tumultuous season with the Bucks, which saw the team struggle with injuries and trade rumors surrounding superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo. The losing record marked Rivers' first full losing season since 2006-07 with the Boston Celtics, and reports suggested a 'disconnect' between Rivers and the players.

The details

Rivers said he met with Bucks ownership seven weeks ago and was offered the chance to 'hang in there for a year or two,' but he declined, telling his coaches 'I'm done.' The 64-year-old coach cited his 47 years in basketball without a break as a major factor in his decision to retire, saying he wants to 'get away' and spend more time with his family and grandchildren.

  • Rivers stepped down from the Bucks after the 2025-26 season.
  • Rivers is set to be inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame this year.

The players

Doc Rivers

A veteran NBA head coach with an NBA championship and Coach of the Year award on his resume, who is set to be inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame.

Giannis Antetokounmpo

The superstar player for the Milwaukee Bucks, who was limited to 36 games during the 2025-26 season due to injury and trade rumors.

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What they’re saying

“We met about seven weeks ago, me and ownership. We had a great meeting. They asked me what I wanted to do. One of the owners says one plan is, 'If we do this, you can hang in there for a year or two.' I literally said, 'Oh, no, no, no.'”

— Doc Rivers, Retiring NBA Head Coach

“I told my coaches, I'm done. I loved coaching. Loved it. I had a lot of success at it, had way more ups than downs. But at the end of the day, I've given 47 years or whatever, I don't even know how old I am … with no off time. I just wanted a break. I want to get away. The grandkids and just life in general, man.”

— Doc Rivers, Retiring NBA Head Coach

What’s next

Rivers will be inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame later this year, officially capping off his legendary coaching career.

The takeaway

Doc Rivers' decision to retire after a difficult season with the Bucks underscores the toll that decades of high-intensity coaching can take on even the most successful and respected figures in the NBA. His departure marks the end of an era and leaves the Bucks searching for a new leader to guide the team back to contention.