MILWAUKEE: Adrian Griffin’s tenure as head coach of the Milwaukee Bucks is over following 43 games. Griffin has been fired despite guiding Milwaukee to a 30-13 record, second-best in the Eastern Conference behind the Boston Celtics (34-10) entering the day, local media reported.
Bucks deputy coach Joe Prunty will take over as temporary head coach. “This was a hard decision to make during the season,” Bucks GM Jon Horst said in a statement.
He added that they are working immediately toward hiring their next head coach. He thanked Coach Griffin for his hard work and contributions to the team.
Bucks Fire Adrian Griffin Following 43 Games
Griffin was appointed in June following the abrupt sacking of predecessor Mike Budenholzer, who was ditched following the Bucks crashed out of last season’s playoffs in the 1st round.
At the time, Jon Horst said Griffin had been hired for his “championship-level coaching pedigree, basketball acumen and ability to link with players.”
There had been some clues that Griffin’s place was under threat, with the Bucks making a solid start to the season that has left them with a 30-13 record — the second-best winning percentage in the league.
Several US media reports stated that the Bucks were targeting former Philadelphia head coach Doc Rivers as Griffin’s replacement.
