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).
