A recent Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame enshrinee is moving to the broadcast booth and is insisting he’s retiring from coaching.
Long-time NBA lifer Doc Rivers, who most recently served as coach of the Milwaukee Bucks last season and who has more than 40 years of experience in the NBA as a player and coach, will be joining NBC Sports as an analyst for broadcasts during the 2026-27 season, which begins next month.
The move was announced Monday, Sept. 21, in a press release.
Elsewhere, in an interview with the Associated Press, Rivers insisted that he would no longer pursue coaching opportunities, as he transitions to his role in the media, saying he was “absolutely retired.”
And with his new gig, Rivers will join his son, Austin, who is also an analyst for NBC Sports and who regularly appears on broadcasts.
In fact, six of Rivers’ former players — Grant Hill, Tracy McGrady, Brian Scalabrine, Jamal Crawford and his son — are currently part of NBC’s coverage team of the NBA.
Rivers was inducted into the Hall of Fame in August as part of the Class of 2026. Just months earlier, he had concluded his 27th season as head coach when the Bucks finished 32-50, missing the playoffs.
He ranks sixth all-time in victories (1,194) and fourth in games coached (2,060). He won his only NBA championship in 2008, as the coach of the Boston Celtics.
Doc Rivers speaks during a press conference for the 2026 Inductees to the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame in the Final Four of the 2026 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at Lucas Oil Stadium on April 04, 2026 in Indianapolis, Indiana.
This won’t be Rivers’ first stint in broadcasting, and it won’t even be his first stint with NBC; he served as a studio analyst during the 2012 London Olympics. Rivers also worked for Turner Sports in 1996 and also worked briefly for ESPN in 2003-04 and 2023, when he had been in between coaching jobs.
“I loved playing the game, I loved coaching it and I’ve always loved talking about it,” Rivers said in a statement that published Monday. “I have great memories working with NBC, and I’m excited to be back and share my perspective alongside such a talented team. This season should be a lot of fun. I can’t wait.”
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: NBA lifer Doc Rivers says he’s ‘absolutely retired.’ Here’s what’s next
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