Bucks Zone

The Milwaukee Bucks trim down loaded coaching staff, fire Adrian Griffin’s recruit

The Bucks had 11 assistant coaches before Nate Mitchell was fired.

Matthew Dugandzic

© Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports
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The Milwaukee Bucks have started trimming down their coaching personnel after one of their assistant coaches was given the pink slip.

Assistant coach Nate Mitchell was fired almost a month after Adrian Griffin was dismissed. Mitchell and Griffin were part of the Toronto Raptors coaching staff from 2021 to 2023. Adrian brought Nate over the summer when he was named Milwaukee’s head coach.

Too many coaches

Mitchell was also an assistant with the Charlotte Hornets (2018-21) and had spent two seasons in the G League. Mitchell’s international coaching experience included a stint at the Canadian program.

Rivers said the Bucks are just trying to cut down the number of assistant coaches.

“We’re just trying to get the right numbers. You could make the case we’re still over the number, and so we just gotta get to a working staff. And, that’s what we’re doing,” said Rivers.

Milwaukee’s loaded coaching crew

Before Mitchell’s firing, Milwaukee had 11 assistant coaches as Rivers hired Dave Joerger, Rex Kalamian, and Pete Dominguez as assistants.

Rivers is not discounting the possibility that more assistant coaches will be let go.

“There could be. I’m not saying there will be, but there could be,” said Rivers.

Rivers joined the Bucks on January 26th. The Bucks were 30-13 when the coaching reshuffle was made. The coaching change has yet to pay dividends, as the Bucks are in a rough stretch under Rivers. Milwaukee is just 3-7 under the veteran coach and lost their last two games against teams with depleted lineups.

Giannis Antetokounmpo explains the differences between Doc Rivers and former coach Adrian Griffin

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Matthew Dugandzic
MATTHEW DUGANDZIC

Matthew finished his bachelor's degree in Economics (Management) at the University of Split and got his master's degree in the same field at the University of Zadar. Whether it is playing the game as an undersized 6'3'' power forward or simply watching it, Matthew can't get enough of it. After all, he has been an avid NBA fan since the 2000s. But don't get him wrong, as Matthew still loves the old-school NBA and is a true student of the game. From on-court moments to off-court stuff, whether it's about the stars of modern-day basketball or legends of the game, Matthew covers every category of the NBA world and basketball in general, as long as it makes for an engaging and exciting story.