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Bucks hire ex-Grizzlies coach Jenkins / Photo: Zac BonDurant - GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA/AFP/File
Bucks hire ex-Grizzlies coach Jenkins
The Milwaukee Bucks have hired Taylor Jenkins as their new head coach after failing to reach the playoffs for the first time since 2016, the NBA team said Thursday.
The 41-year-old American served as an assistant coach for the Bucks in the 2018-19 season on coach Mike Budenholzer's staff, and more recently spent six seasons as coach of the Memphis Grizzlies.
Jenkins replaces Doc Rivers, who resigned as head coach of the Bucks earlier this month after three seasons at Milwaukee, the final of which concluded with a 32-50 losing record.
Rivers' Bucks had lost twice in the first round of the playoffs before missing the post-season entirely this year.
It is the first time in nine seasons that Milwaukee have not participated in the playoffs.
"Taylor's attention to detail, toughness and communication skills make it clear that he knows how to cultivate a winning culture," Bucks owners Wes Edens, Jimmy and Dee Haslam, and Jamie Dinan said in a statement.
"We are excited to work together toward our collective goal of sustained success and winning championships."
Milwaukee won the NBA championship as recently as 2021, when Greek-Nigerian star Giannis Antetokounmpo earned a second consecutive Most Valuable Player Award.
The move to hire Jenkins comes as the Bucks are trying to convince Antetokounmpo to remain with the club.
Antetokounmpo struggled with injuries and was linked with a mid-season trade before publicly complaining that the team had not allowed him to play.
D.Fischer--BlnAP
