Doc Rivers’ time on an NBA bench is over for good, he said on Monday, as he moves into the next chapter of his life.
NBC announced that the former NBA player and coach would be joining its coverage of the league as an analyst during games on NBC, Peacock and NBCSN, while also possibly doing studio work.
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Rivers’ coaching career spanned nine seasons with the Celtics, who he led to an NBA title in 2008, along with time coaching the Clippers, Sixers and Bucks.
Doc Rivers on the red carpet prior to the 2026 Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame Enshrinement Ceremony. Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
“I honestly can say I’m absolutely retired,” Rivers told the Associated Press in an interview. “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 played as long as I did. For the first time, I can focus on giving TV my 100 percent attention, which I’m really looking forward to.
“I think I’ve always been pretty honest. I’ve always celebrated the game in general, but told the truth. I don’t think anyone has ever had a problem with honesty and the way you tell the truth. There are always times where you offend people because of the truth, but I’ve never really worried about that.”
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Rivers has had plenty of broadcast experience, having spent three years as part of Turner Sports’ coverage from 1996-1999 and then later did two stints with ESPN/ABC in the 2000s and was part of NBC’s Olympic coverage in 2012 as a studio analyst.
Rivers will also join his son, Austin, at the new gig since the younger Rivers is already an analyst for NBC Sports.
Doc Rivers of the Milwaukee Bucks instructs his players from the sideline during the first half of an NBA game against the Los Angeles Clippers on March 23, 2026 at the Intuit Dome Getty Images
And the network already employs six former players Rivers coached during their careers, including Grant Hill, Tracy McGrady, Brian Scalabrine and Jamal Crawford.
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