Doc Rivers has confirmed that his departure from the Milwaukee Bucks was entirely his own choice, following reports of his exit earlier this month. The veteran coach spoke about the decision in an interview with Marc J. Spears on Andscape, published on Tuesday, April 21.
Rivers, 64, described a noticeably different routine away from the sidelines, including breakfast in Charlotte and family time during the playoffs. “It’s feels strange. Usually after the season, you’re already looking at [the next one],” he said while reflecting on life after coaching duties.
Instead of leading Milwaukee on game day, Rivers attended his granddaughter’s youth soccer match, where she scored twice. “It’s been great so far. I’m golfing. I’m in town to see my grandkids. So, I’m doing exactly what I said I wanted to do,” he added.
The Bucks officially announced Rivers’ departure on April 13, with reports indicating the organization will continue paying his contract for the 2026–27 season. His exit followed a two-plus-year stint that ended with a 97–103 record and consecutive first-round playoff exits.
Rivers was direct when addressing the nature of his departure. “It was 100 percent my decision,” he said, emphasizing that the move was not driven by results or external pressure from the franchise.
Milwaukee’s 2025–26 campaign ended with a 32–50 record, heavily impacted by injuries, including Giannis Antetokounmpo appearing in just 36 games. The Bucks also won the NBA Cup in 2024 during Rivers’ tenure, offering a brief peak in an otherwise inconsistent stretch.
The former NBA champion coach explained that retirement had been on his mind well before the season began. “It had nothing to do with the season or anything like that,” Rivers said. “There’s times where you feel like you’ve had your run.”
He also noted the grind of coaching for more than two decades without an extended break. “I’ve [coached] for basically 26 straight years,” Rivers said, pointing to fatigue as a key factor in his decision-making process.
Rivers admitted that leaving without addressing players directly was a missed opportunity. He reflected on multiple career moments where he handled emotional transitions differently, including previous championship and playoff situations.
The Bucks’ season was also marked by ongoing speculation around Antetokounmpo’s future, which Rivers acknowledged created instability around the locker room environment. He said constant external noise made it difficult for any team to maintain focus.
