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Doc Rivers ‘absolutely retired’ from coaching, accepts TV role

By Thomson Reuters Sep 22, 2026 | 11:29 AM

By Field Level Media

Sep 22 (Field Level Media) – Doc Rivers said he’s not interested in working the sideline as an NBA coach anymore.

Rivers, who has more than 40 ​years of experience in the NBA as a player ‌and coach, instead will work as an analyst for NBC Sports during the 2026-27 NBA season.

“I honestly can say I’m absolutely retired,” he said in an interview with the Associated Press. “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. For the first time, I can focus on giving TV my 100% attention, which I’m really looking ​forward to.”

Rivers, 65, will join his son, Austin, who also is an analyst for NBC Sports.

The elder Rivers concluded his ⁠head coaching career after stepping down ⁠from his post with the Milwaukee Bucks in ​April. He was inducted into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame ​in August as part of the Class of 2026.

Doc Rivers ‌completed his 27th year on an NBA bench and has a record of 1,194-866. He is sixth in victories on the all-time list and guided the 2007-08 Boston Celtics to an NBA ⁠championship.

The 13-year NBA guard started his coaching career with the Orlando Magic in the 1999-2000 season. He earned NBA Coach of the Year ⁠honors in that ‌first season, posting a 41-41 record.

Rivers coached in ⁠Orlando until 2004, before jumping to the Celtics ​in ‌the 2004-05 season. His tenure in Boston was ​the longest ⁠at nine years (2004-13) and was followed by stints with the Los Angeles Clippers (2013-20), Philadelphia 76ers (2020-23) and Bucks (2024-26).

The Chicago native began his NBA career in Atlanta and played for the Hawks from 1983-91. He also competed for the Clippers (1991-92), New York Knicks (1992-94) and San Antonio ​Spurs (1994-96).

(–Field Level Media)