Three potential Bucks coaching candidates who could replace Doc Rivers
The Milwaukee Bucks have chosen a new away path from Doc Rivers as their head coach, sparking curiosity about who might be next in line for the role.
The Milwaukee Bucks have decided to go in a different direction than Doc Rivers as head coach , and the question looms: who is in consideration to be the next head coach? The decision follows a disappointing 32-50 season that left Milwaukee out of the playoffs, compounded by reported tension between Rivers and the players. ESPN has reported that the Bucks will still owe Rivers his salary for the 2026-27 season and Rivers could potentially transition to an advisory role with the organization, though nothing has been finalized.
Now, all eyes will be on who will take over in Milwaukee, and there are a few name in the mix. More: Giannis Antetokounmpo opens up about frustrations, future with Bucks Milwaukee Bucks head coaching candidates Here are a few candidates to replace Doc Rivers as the Milwaukee Bucks' next head coach Sam Cassell Boston Celtics assistant coach Sam Cassell is widely considered one of the most qualified and overdue head coaching candidates in the NBA, making him a compelling fit for Milwaukee’s vacancy. As a player, Cassell spent 15 seasons in the NBA, suiting up for eight franchises and earning an All-Star selection along the way.
He won three championships on the court and added a fourth from the bench when the Celtics defeated the Dallas Mavericks in the 2024 NBA Finals, his first title as a assistant coach. Cassell has 17 years of assistant coaching experience across four NBA franchises: the Washington Wizards, Los Angeles Clippers, Philadelphia 76ers and Celtics. Taylor Jenkins Taylor Jenkins is coming off a surprising firing in Memphis last year, making him one of the more intriguing names available for the Bucks’ vacancy.
Jenkins was let go by the Grizzlies in March 2025 with just nine games left in the regular season, a stunning move given that Memphis was the No. 5 seed in the Western Conference at the time. He departed as the franchise’s all-time winningest coach, finishing with a 250-214 record across six seasons.