The Milwaukee Bucks have parted ways with Doc Rivers after a disappointing 32-50 season. The team is now seeking a new head coach to lead them in a new direction, with several strong candidates available for consideration.
Ranking the 5 best Bucks coaching candidates to replace Doc Rivers, from Taylor Jenkins to Tom Thibodeau originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
After a miserable 32-50 season, the Milwaukee Bucks and Doc Rivers have officially parted ways, which should signal a new direction.
Rivers' tumultuous time with the Bucks included the organization's deteriorating relationship with Giannis Antetokounmpo, two first-round exits and now missing both the playoffs and the Play-In Tournament. No team in the NBA is in more flux than the Bucks this offseason, as Milwaukee has a lot to decide during the summer.
Therefore, choosing a new head coach is the first step toward moving in the right direction. After the failed Doc Rivers experiment, there are a number of candidates who make sense for Milwaukee, as the organization's plan moving forward will include the type of coach it hires in the next few weeks.
While Michael Malone took the North Carolina job to remove himself from NBA consideration, there's still a strong group of candidates available for the Bucks to consider. Here's a look at the five best candidates for the Bucks' coaching search.
SN's NBA HQ:Live NBA scores | Updated NBA standingsĀ | Full NBA schedule
Taylor Jenkins
Imagn Images
Jenkins, a former Bucks assistant, is the most logical fit to replace Rivers, as he has a solid combination of experience and youth. Jenkins spent parts of six seasons from 2019 to 2025 as the Memphis Grizzlies' head coach, leading them to three playoff appearances and two 50-win seasons, but is still just 41 years old.
Other NBA teams looking for a head coach this offseason will likely be interested in Jenkins, which makes him a hot candidate over the next few weeks. Jenkins was a Milwaukee assistant for one season in 2018ā19, which was when the Bucks made the Eastern Conference Finals for the first time in almost two decades.
MORE: Full look of the NBA playoff bracket
Sam Cassell Joe Mazzulla
Imagn Images
Cassell has been an assistant coach for almost two decades and is due get his first head coaching job sometime soon. A former NBA point guard for 15 years, Cassell has been an assistant for the Washington Wizards, Los Angeles Clippers, Philadelphia Sixers and Boston Celtics, finding much success in that span.
Cassell is part of a strong Celtics staff that won the NBA Finals in 2024 and has been as impressive as any staff this season. There is also some nostalgia here, as Cassell had some of his best playing years with the Bucks in the early 2000s.
MORE:Cases for and against every MVP candidate
Tom Thibodeau
Imagn Images
Thibodeau is the best coach on the market, but he only fits teams heading in a certain direction. The 68-year-old is not the kind of coach for a team heading into a rebuild, so Milwaukee hiring him would be a sign that it wants to turn things around quickly, with or without Giannis Antetokounmpo.
Thibodeau will offer teams the highest floor of any candidate available this year but also offers the shortest window due to his style and age. However, he would certainly stabilize an environment in Milwaukee that got out of hand over the course of the year.
MORE:What's next for Doc Rivers following Bucks exit?
Chris Quinn Erik Spoelstra
Imagn Images
Quinn is one of the popular young assistants in the NBA that would be a sign the Bucks are taking a more patient path moving forward. The 42-year-old spent six seasons in the NBA as a point guard, but has been a Miami Heat assistant for over a decade now as one the key members of Erik Spoelstra's staff.
Teams in the middle of rebuilds will likely consider Quinn this Spring, so Milwaukee hiring him could be evidence that the team wants to go through an arduous rebuild. However, Quinn also provides perhaps the highest ceiling of any coach available.
MORE: Giannis Antetokounmpo offers candid answer about Bucks future
Terry Stotts
Imagn Images
Like Thibodeau, Stotts is a veteran coach who offers a more win-now approach at 68 years-old. The veteran coach was very successful with the Portland Trail Blazers, making the playoffs in eight of his nine seasons leading the team, and he has over 500 wins as a head coach in his career.
Stotts has history with the Bucks that could stop the team from pursuing him. Besides the fact that Stotts was the Bucks head coach once before, from 2005-07, Stotts returned in 2023 to be an assistant for Adrian Griffin, but resigned before the season began.
The top candidates include Taylor Jenkins and Tom Thibodeau, among others.
Doc Rivers faced a deteriorating relationship with Giannis Antetokounmpo, two first-round playoff exits, and the team missing both the playoffs and the Play-In Tournament.
The Bucks decided to part ways with Doc Rivers due to a disappointing season and the need for a new direction after a 32-50 record.
The new head coach will play a crucial role in shaping the Bucks' strategy and performance moving forward after a tumultuous season.
LIV Golf's future appears uncertain as reports suggest Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund may withdraw funding after investing $5 billion. Despite assurances for the 2026 season, the tour faces challenges from low ratings and strong competition from the PGA Tour.
Mike Trout's 446-foot HR joins him with Aaron Judge in Yankee Stadium lore.
Detroit Tigers projected to take a risk on a 6'3" prep bat in the MLB draft.
Arshdeep Singh makes history as the first PBKS bowler to reach 100 IPL wickets!
California's top high school football prospects are on the move this weekend.
Viktor Hovland shines with a 64 at RBC Heritage, Gotterup scores 70.
See every story in Sports ā including breaking news and analysis.