Doc Rivers Retires From Coaching, Joins NBC as Analyst

Doc Rivers, who stepped down as head coach of the Milwaukee Bucks in April, says he is finished with NBA coaching and will join NBC Sports as a game analyst for the 2026-27 season. NBC announced on Monday that Rivers will appear on broadcasts across NBC, Peacock and NBCSN, with the possibility of additional studio work. His on-air debut is scheduled for NBC's opening night coverage on Oct. 20. In a phone interview with the Associated Press, Rivers said he is "absolutely retired" from coaching. "I had a long run. It ended up in the Naismith Hall of Fame earlier this year and I am so thankful that I was able to coach and play as long as I did," he said. "For the first time, I can focus on giving TV my 100 percent attention, which I'm really looking forward to." Rivers was inducted into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame in August as part of the Class of 2026. His head coaching career, which began with the Orlando Magic in the 1999-2000 season, included stints with the Boston Celtics, the Los Angeles Clippers, the Philadelphia 76ers and the Bucks. He led the Celtics to the NBA championship in 2008 and ranks sixth on the league's all-time coaching wins list with 1,194 victories.