Doc Rivers Quits as Clippers Coach
Credit: Douglas P. DeFelice/Getty Images
The LA team’s head coach is stepping down.
Earlier in the month, the Los Angeles Clippers played against the Denver Nuggets at the Western Conference semifinals series. Things were looking good, with the Clippers in the lead by two games, but that lead swiftly vanished with the Nuggets sweeping the final three games of the series.
After this major loss, the team was forced to reexamine a few things. Sadly, one of those things was the continued employment of head coach Doc Rivers, and after a mutual agreement, it seems that employment has come to an end.
In Clippers press release, says “Steve Ballmer and Doc Rivers have reached a mutual decision that Rivers will step down as head coach of the L.A. Clippers.”
— Chris Haynes (@ChrisBHaynes) September 28, 2020
“Doc has been a terrific coach for the Clippers, an incredible ambassador and a pillar of strength during tumultuous times,” Clippers owner Steve Ballmer said in a statement. “He won a heck of a lot of games and laid a foundation for this franchise.
“I am immeasurably grateful to Doc for his commitment and contribution to the Clippers and the city of Los Angeles. I am also extremely confident in our front office and our players.”
Rivers worked seven seasons in total with the Clippers, bringing in a respectable 356-208 record. Under Rivers’ leadership, the Clippers had a good track record of making it to the post season, but have never been able to progress past the semifinals. Rivers also holds a bit of an unfortunate record, being the only coach in the league to lose a series after a 3-1 lead on three separate occasions.
Rivers seemed to take the announcement in stride, penning a fond farewell to the team on his personal Twitter.
— doc rivers (@DocRivers) September 28, 2020
The search has already begun for a new Clippers coach, with two of the most promising candidates being team assistant Ty Lue and former Houston Rockets and New York Knicks coach Jeff Van Gundy.
