Bucks Hired Taylor Jenkins as Head Coach
The team appointed Jenkins to lead the roster following a difficult 32-50 finish to the 2025-26 season.
Updated on Sept. 28, 2026 in Basketball
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Following the conclusion of the 2025-26 season, the Milwaukee Bucks officially hired Taylor Jenkins as their new head coach. The organization signed the veteran coach to a long-term contract to help rebuild and establish a fresh culture for a young roster.
Why it matters
The franchise prioritized this coaching change after the team posted a 32-50 record last season. Milwaukee chose Jenkins specifically for his history of developing young talent during his tenure in Memphis.
Taylor Jenkins joins Milwaukee after leading the Memphis Grizzlies for six seasons, during which time the team secured three playoff appearances. His arrival replaces Doc Rivers, who finished his tenure with the Bucks holding a 97-103 record.
The players
Taylor Jenkins
He is the newly appointed head coach of the Milwaukee Bucks who previously spent six seasons leading the Memphis Grizzlies.
Doc Rivers
He is the former Milwaukee Bucks head coach who concluded his tenure with a 97-103 overall record.
Tuomas Iisalo
He served as the interim head coach for the Memphis Grizzlies during the 2024-25 season.
Milwaukee Bucks
This is a professional basketball team based in Milwaukee that competes in the National Basketball Association.
Memphis Grizzlies
This is a professional basketball team that Taylor Jenkins led for six seasons before joining the Bucks.
The details
Jenkins is no stranger to the Milwaukee organization, having spent the 2018-19 season as an assistant for the Bucks. The leadership move is intended to pivot the team toward a development-focused rebuild after their 32-50 performance last year.
Timeline
Taylor Jenkins previously served one season with the Bucks in 2018-19.
The Grizzlies reached the semifinals during the 2021-22 season.
Tuomas Iisalo served as interim coach for Memphis in 2024-25.
Doc Rivers concluded his time with Milwaukee following the 2025-26 season.
The Milwaukee Bucks held their media day on September 28, 2026.
Season Trajectory
The hiring of Jenkins signals a definitive shift toward a rebuild, moving the team away from the tenure of Doc Rivers. The change reflects the franchise's strategy to prioritize long-term development over the veteran-heavy approach that defined the 2025-26 campaign.
The transition brings a new tactical philosophy to Milwaukee's rotation, which will significantly impact player minutes and development hierarchies. The immediate focus for the team will be integrating the younger core into Jenkins' system ahead of the next competitive cycle.
The takeaway
The move demonstrates Milwaukee's commitment to prioritizing player development after a disappointing 32-50 record. Fans should expect a focus on long-term growth as Jenkins implements a new culture for the organization.
Further reading
For more updates on the roster and staff, check out Milwaukee Basketball.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Sports Illustrated.
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