History of Doc Rivers in Timeline
Glenn Anton "Doc" Rivers is an American professional basketball coach, currently head coach of the Milwaukee Bucks of the NBA. Before coaching, Rivers had a 14-season NBA playing career, becoming an NBA All-Star. He has been recognized as one of the 15 Greatest Coaches in NBA History, signifying his impactful career both on the court and on the sidelines.
October 13, 1961: Glenn Anton "Doc" Rivers Born
On October 13, 1961, Glenn Anton "Doc" Rivers was born. He later became a professional basketball coach and former player.
1982: FIBA World Championship
In 1982, Doc Rivers played for the United States national team during the FIBA World Championship in Colombia and was named the tournament's MVP.
March 4, 1986: Career-High 21 Assists
On March 4, 1986, Doc Rivers achieved a career-high 21 assists in a game against the Philadelphia 76ers.
1986: Marriage to Kristen
In 1986, Doc Rivers married his wife Kristen, with whom he had four children.
1988: NBA All-Star Game
In 1988, Doc Rivers participated in the NBA All-Star Game.
1990: J. Walter Kennedy Citizenship Award
In 1990, Doc Rivers received the J. Walter Kennedy Citizenship Award for his community involvement and citizenship.
1991: Joins Los Angeles Clippers
In 1991, Doc Rivers began playing for the Los Angeles Clippers, where he was a starter for one year.
1991: Leaves Atlanta Hawks
In 1991, Doc Rivers concluded his time playing point guard for the Atlanta Hawks.
1992: Joins New York Knicks
In 1992, Doc Rivers joined the New York Knicks, playing for the team for two years.
1994: Joins San Antonio Spurs
In 1994, Doc Rivers joined the San Antonio Spurs, playing for the team for two years.
1994: Played in 25 Postseason Games with the Knicks
In 1994, Doc Rivers played for the New York Knicks team that participated in 25 postseason games, which was a record at the time. He would later break this record as a coach.
1996: Retires as Player, Begins Coaching
In 1996, Doc Rivers retired as an NBA player and transitioned into his coaching career.
1996: Retires from NBA
In 1996, Doc Rivers retired from professional basketball after playing 864 regular-season games.
1999: Head Coach of Orlando Magic
In 1999, Doc Rivers became the head coach of the Orlando Magic, marking his entry into NBA coaching.
1999: Joins Orlando Magic and Leaves TNT
In 1999, Doc Rivers left his broadcasting job with TNT to join the Orlando Magic as head coach, marking a shift from commentary to coaching.
1999: Starts Coaching Career with Orlando Magic
In 1999, Doc Rivers started his coaching career with the Orlando Magic.
2000: Attempt to Assemble a "Big Three"
During the summer of 2000, Doc Rivers, as coach of the Orlando Magic, attempted to assemble a "Big Three" team by courting free agent Tim Duncan, Grant Hill, and Tracy McGrady, but Duncan re-signed with the Spurs.
2000: NBA Coach of the Year
In 2000, Doc Rivers was named the NBA Coach of the Year following his first season with the Orlando Magic, despite preseason expectations.
2003: Fired by Orlando Magic
In 2003, Doc Rivers was fired from his position as head coach of the Orlando Magic after a poor start to the season.
2003: Joins ESPN/ABC
In 2003, after being fired by the Orlando Magic, Doc Rivers joined ESPN/ABC's NBA coverage as a commentator.
2004: Commentates NBA Finals
In 2004, Doc Rivers commentated on the NBA Finals for ESPN/ABC.
2004: Head Coach of Boston Celtics
In 2004, Doc Rivers was hired as the head coach of the Boston Celtics after a stint as an analyst for ESPN.
2006: Criticism for Coaching Style
In 2006, during his time with the Boston Celtics, Doc Rivers faced criticism from the media, including calls for his firing due to his coaching style.
January 21, 2008: Coaches East All-Star Team
On January 21, 2008, Doc Rivers, as the coach of the Boston Celtics, earned the honor to coach the Eastern Conference team for the 2008 NBA All-Star Game.
June 17, 2008: Wins NBA Championship
On June 17, 2008, Doc Rivers won his first NBA Championship as a head coach, leading the Boston Celtics to victory over the Los Angeles Lakers.
2008: NBA Championship with Celtics
In 2008, Doc Rivers won his first NBA Championship as a head coach with the Boston Celtics, defeating the Los Angeles Lakers.
2009: Helped Lure John Smoltz to Red Sox
In 2009, Doc Rivers, then head coach of the Boston Celtics, was credited with helping lure John Smoltz into signing with the Boston Red Sox.
2010: Leads Celtics to NBA Finals
In 2010, Doc Rivers led the Boston Celtics to the NBA Finals, where they faced the Los Angeles Lakers and lost in seven games. He considered returning to Orlando to be with his family, but decided to honor his contract with the Celtics.
May 13, 2011: Signs Contract Extension with Celtics
On May 13, 2011, Doc Rivers and the Boston Celtics agreed to a 5-year contract extension worth $35 million.
February 6, 2013: 400th Win with the Celtics
On February 6, 2013, Doc Rivers achieved his 400th win as coach with the Boston Celtics after a victory against the Toronto Raptors.
June 25, 2013: Acquired by Los Angeles Clippers
On June 25, 2013, Doc Rivers was acquired by the Los Angeles Clippers from the Boston Celtics, also becoming the senior vice president of basketball operations.
2013: Head Coach of Los Angeles Clippers
In 2013, Doc Rivers became the head coach of the Los Angeles Clippers, transitioning from his role with the Boston Celtics.
June 16, 2014: Promoted to President of Basketball Operations
On June 16, 2014, Doc Rivers was promoted to president of basketball operations for the Los Angeles Clippers, while continuing his duties as head coach.
August 12, 2014: Clippers Sold to Steve Ballmer
On August 12, 2014, the Los Angeles Clippers were sold to Steve Ballmer for $2 billion after the Donald Sterling controversy, and Doc Rivers remained with the team.
August 27, 2014: New Contract with Clippers
On August 27, 2014, Doc Rivers signed a new five-year contract with the Los Angeles Clippers.
January 16, 2015: Coaches Son Austin Rivers
On January 16, 2015, Doc Rivers became the first NBA coach to coach his own son, Austin Rivers.
2015: First Round Draft Pick
In 2015, the Los Angeles Clippers gave up their first round draft pick after acquiring Doc Rivers in 2013.
August 4, 2017: Gives Up Post as President of Basketball Operations
On August 4, 2017, Doc Rivers relinquished his position as president of basketball operations for the Clippers.
May 23, 2018: Contract Extension with the Clippers
On May 23, 2018, Doc Rivers and the Clippers agreed to a contract extension.
June 26, 2018: Austin Rivers Traded to the Wizards
On June 26, 2018, Austin Rivers was traded to the Washington Wizards for Marcin Gortat.
May 31, 2019: Tampering Fine for Comments on Kawhi Leonard
On May 31, 2019, Doc Rivers made comments on Kawhi Leonard, leading to the Clippers being fined $50,000 for violating the league's anti-tampering rule.
July 10, 2019: Clippers Sign Kawhi Leonard
On July 10, 2019, the Clippers signed Kawhi Leonard to a three-year contract.
November 8, 2019: Earns 900th Win as Head Coach
On November 8, 2019, Doc Rivers earned his 900th win as an NBA head coach after the Clippers' victory against the Portland Trail Blazers.
2019: Divorced from Kristen
In 2019, Doc Rivers and his wife Kristen divorced.
September 28, 2020: Steps Down as Clippers Coach
On September 28, 2020, Doc Rivers stepped down as head coach of the Los Angeles Clippers after their defeat to the Denver Nuggets.
October 3, 2020: Hired as 76ers Head Coach
On October 3, 2020, the Philadelphia 76ers announced the hiring of Doc Rivers as their head coach.
2020: Head Coach of Philadelphia 76ers
In 2020, Doc Rivers became the head coach of the Philadelphia 76ers after leaving the Los Angeles Clippers.
May 14, 2023: 76ers Lose to Celtics
On May 14, 2023, the Philadelphia 76ers lost the conference semifinals series to the Celtics.
December 2023: Serves as Consultant for Milwaukee Bucks
Beginning in December 2023, Doc Rivers began serving as an informal consultant to Milwaukee Bucks coach Adrian Griffin.
2023: Son Austin Plays for Timberwolves
In 2023, Doc River's son, Austin, last played for the Minnesota Timberwolves, continuing the family's involvement in basketball.
2023: Fired by Philadelphia 76ers
In 2023, Doc Rivers was fired as head coach of the Philadelphia 76ers, concluding his three-year tenure with the team.
2023: Returns to ESPN/ABC Broadcasting
In the summer of 2023, Doc Rivers rejoined ESPN/ABC as part of their lead broadcasting team.
January 2024: Leaves ESPN Mid-Season to Coach Bucks
In January 2024, Doc Rivers left ESPN mid-season to become the head coach of the Milwaukee Bucks.
January 26, 2024: Hired as Milwaukee Bucks Head Coach
On January 26, 2024, Doc Rivers was hired as the head coach of the Milwaukee Bucks.
January 29, 2024: First Game as Bucks Head Coach
On January 29, 2024, Doc Rivers coached his first game as the Milwaukee Bucks' head coach, which resulted in a loss to the Denver Nuggets.
December 17, 2024: Milwaukee Bucks Win NBA Cup Final
On December 17, 2024, under the leadership of head coach Doc Rivers, the Milwaukee Bucks secured a victory in the NBA Cup final against the Oklahoma City Thunder with a score of 97-81.
