The Milwaukee Bucks just dropped a bombshell, officially locking in their coaching staff under new head coach Taylor Jenkins, and one name absolutely jumps off the page: Darvin Ham is back on the bench! This isn’t just any assistant coach returning; Ham, a pivotal part of their 2021 championship squad, is coming home after a wild ride in Los Angeles, and you know this is a massive move for Milwaukee.
The Championship Blood is Back, And The Buzz Is Real
Ham isn’t just a familiar face; he’s a proven winner and a crucial part of the Bucks’ past success. He served as the lead assistant for four seasons, including that glorious championship-winning run in 2021. You remember that, right? The guy knows what it takes. After that, he spent two incredibly turmoil-filled years in Los Angeles as a head coach. Yeah, “turmoil” is putting it mildly. Despite actually pulling off a winning record across those two seasons, he got canned after a first-round playoff exit. Talk about a tough break! It seemed like he might head to New Orleans for their coaching vacancy, but nope, he’s sticking with the Bucks. He’s got history with Jenkins, too, having worked with him for five seasons in Atlanta and one previously in Milwaukee. This reunion is a huge statement.
Alongside Ham, head of player development Jack Herum also returns to the fold, providing some continuity. But Jenkins is bringing in some serious fresh talent and familiar faces too. Pat St. Andrews, who just coached the Summer League team, and Brad Jones are both coming over after working with Jenkins as assistant coaches in Memphis. Vince Legarza is back in Milwaukee after spending last season as an assistant with the Suns, and Schuyler Rimmer, a video coordinator for four seasons with the Bucks from 2018 to 2022, is also returning. Then you’ve got Johnny Carpenter, who was an assistant for the Indiana Pacers last season but literally turned down their Summer League head coach gig to join the Bucks. That tells you everything you need to know about the vision Jenkins is building.
TJ Ford’s First NBA Coaching Gig and The Missed Opportunities
Another incredibly cool addition is T.J. Ford. This guy is a former eighth overall pick in the 2003 NBA draft, spent two seasons as the Bucks’ starting point guard, making 127 appearances and averaging 10 points! This is his first NBA coaching role after spending time coaching high school and AAU ball, even running his own Adidas-sponsored team, TJ Ford Elite. That’s a unique journey to the big leagues, and it’s awesome to see a former player like him get a shot on the bench.
Of course, not everyone panned out. Joe Boylan, who was touted as a top candidate for Jenkins’ staff, shifted course in early July and joined new coach Dusty May and the Dallas Mavericks. Dave Joerger, a longtime assistant for Doc Rivers, is off to Denver, and Greg Buckner is with the Orlando Magic. It stings a little to miss out on some of those names, but with Ham back and the blend of new and familiar faces, this staff is absolutely stacked. The Bucks are clearly not messing around. It’s time to gear up and see what this new leadership group can achieve when the season kicks off!
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Brew Hoop.
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