Doc Rivers is about to resume his coaching career, where his jersey hangs from the rafters.
The Milwaukee Bucks officially announced late Friday night they had hired Rivers to take over for the fired Adrian Griffin, who lost his job just three days prior, after only 43 games.
The news also came after the Bucks lost to the Cavs 112-100 — a day later, they beat the Pelicans by 24 points — but Rivers had yet to take the helm.
The Bucks next game is Monday, at the defending NBA champion Denver Nuggets.
The 62-year-old Rivers played from 1980-83 at Marquette, which shares a home arena with the Bucks and had retired Rivers’ No. 31 jersey
Milwaukee isn’t home again until Feb. 8, after this six-game road trip begins Monday.
The Rivers hiring represents a major shift in terms of head coaching experience. Griffin had never been a head coach before the Bucks hired him last summer. Rivers’ background as a head coach extends almost a quarter-century.
TOP PHOTO: FILE – Milwaukee Bucks general manager Jon Horst listens as Doc Rivers speaks after being introduced as the Milwaukee Bucks head coach at a news conference Saturday, Jan. 27, 2024, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)