Potential Assistant Coaches for the Milwaukee Bucks and Taylor Jenkins for the 2026-2027 NBA Season

On April 23, 2026, the Milwaukee Bucks were reported to have hired Taylor Jenkins as the head coach of the team, succeeding Doc Rivers. Jenkins recently served as the head coach of the Memphis Grizzlies and prior to the Grizzlies, was an assistant coach under Mike Budenholzer for the Bucks for the 2018-2019 season.

The Bucks have a lot to handle this off-season including whether Giannis Antetokounmpo will remain with the team going forward, but this article will discuss the current coaching staff and the possible additions Jenkins can make to the staff for the 2026-2027 season.

Retaining In-House Assistants

Darvin Ham

Currently the lead assistant on the coaching staff, Ham and Jenkins worked together during their time in Atlanta under Budenholzer and continued to do so in Milwaukee until Jenkins took the Memphis Grizzlies head coaching position in 2019.

The Bucks brought back Ham in 2024 after he was fired from the Los Angeles Lakers and was always a respected coach within the Milwaukee organization. Unless he decides to leave the team for another position elsewhere, Darvin Ham is a likely name to return next season.

Vin Baker

The former 13-year NBA forward and veteran who played from 1993-2006, Vin Baker has served as an assistant coach since 2018 under Mike Budenholzer and was retained by Adrian Griffin and Doc Rivers. This has been his only NBA coaching position since his retirement and in the 8 seasons with the team, Baker has been the longest tenured coach on the staff, serving in a player-development and locker room type role with the team.

Baker and Jenkins only served 1 season together before Jenkins left for the Grizzlies in 2019, but retaining Baker will maintain the continuity of the coaching staff and player connection while having a player development specialist (and one who can work with the forwards and big) CANNOT hurt the Bucks.

Outside Candidates & Returning Coaches?

Patrick St. Andrews

St. Andrews is also a former assistant coach with the Milwaukee Bucks, having been on the 2021 championship staff and also served as a Video Coordinator for the Hawks under Mike Budenholzer. Before joining the Portland Trail Blazers last off-season, he was a front of the bench assistant for the Memphis Grizzlies under Jenkins until he was fired in 2025 and St. Andrews was not retained afterwards.

Known for his offensive minded philosophy and familiarity with both Jenkins and the Bucks, St. Andrews could reunite with Jenkins after 1 season apart. The Portland Trail Blazers are currently facing off against the San Antonio Spurs in round 1 of the 2026 NBA playoffs and it isn’t clear whether or not the current coaching staff will remain after the season.

Brad Jones

A former Grizzlies assistant under Taylor Jenkins and a longtime player development coach in the NBA and its’ D/G-League, Jones could be someone Jenkins can look at if the Bucks are looking to prioritize player development in his search.

Jones served on the Grizzlies coaching staff as a front of the bench assistant from 2019-2023, where they made the playoffs 3 out of the 5 seasons Jones was there. Prior to the Grizzlies, Jones served as the head coach of the Memphis Hustle, Austin Toros, and the Utah Flash (Now the Delaware Blue Coats), was an assistant coach for the Utah Jazz under Quin Snyder, and served as a scout for the Iowa Wolves.

Blake Ahearn

Coach Ahearn is another former assistant coach of the Grizzlies who is known for his offensive capabilities and shooting skills, particularly with Guards such as Ja Morant. He served under Jenkins from 2020-2024 and was replaced with Noah LaRoche when Jenkins had his staff reconstructed in 2025.

Before his time with the Grizzlies, Ahearn was the head coach of the Austin Spurs, winning the G-League championship in his first season in 2018 and finished with an overall coaching record of 52-48 in 3 seasons leading the team.

Jarron Collins

Collins is an NBA coaching veteran who played in the NBA for 10 seasons as a Center standing at 6’11. Collins was an assistant coach under Steve Kerr from 2014-2021, winning 3 championships and recently was an assistant under Willie Green for the New Orleans Pelicans.

Collins has received a few head coaching interviews in the last couple of seasons and is known for his work with the league’s Big Men and Defensive side of the ball.

Joe Prunty

Coach Prunty is currently the lead assistant coach for the Orlando Magic under Jamhal Mosley after serving 2 seasons as an assistant coach under Adrian Griffin and Doc Rivers but has served as the interim head coach of the Bucks in 2018 and 2025, and as an assistant coach from 2014-2018 under Jason Kidd. Prunty has been a fan favorite across multiple fanbases in the NBA, sometimes known as “Pruntdawg” for his relationships with players and positive interim coaching record of 25-17.

It isn’t exactly known why Prunty left the Bucks in 2025, but he was moved to the second row of the bench earlier that season with the additions of Darvin Ham and Greg Buckner. The likely factor could have been a more involved role with the Magic and matching his background with coaching younger teams, but would he return a 3rd time to the Bucks?

Honorable Mentions

Willie Green

Green served as the New Orleans Pelicans head coach from 2021 to 2025 when he was dismissed after a 2-10 start, however, he had an overall coaching record of 150-190, making the playoffs twice in 2022 and 2024 and had an injury filled roster for most of the 2024-2025 season.

Before his tenure with the Pelicans, Green was an assistant coach under Steve Kerr from 2016-2019, winning 2 championships in 2017 and 2018. He also served as the lead assistant for Monty Williams with the Phoenix Suns when they reached the Finals in 2021 against the Milwaukee Bucks.

As a defensive minded coach, Green could handle that end of the ball for Jenkins and the staff as they work to establish the team’s offense. It is also possible Green could wait for another head coaching position and isn’t in a rush to return to the sidelines, but we’ll have to see what other teams move on from their head coach this off-season.

Rajon Rondo

Rondo has been mentioned a lot by Bucks and Lakers fans for their respective coaching staff roles due to his connection with both of these franchises, especially with Rondo serving as a guest coach in 2024 at the Bucks’ training camp. Rondo hasn’t expressed a lot of interest in a full-time coaching role due to wanting to be close with his family, it can’t be entirely ruled out, but only Rondo can make that decision to enter the NBA coaching world.

Rondo played 16 seasons in the NBA winning 2 championships with the Boston Celtics in 2008 and the Los Angeles Lakers in 2020. He was named an NBA All-Star 4 times and is currently 15th in most NBA assists all time.

What do you think of the hiring of Taylor Jenkins? Who would you like to see on the Bucks sideline next year? Let us know in the comments or on social media! Check back with Behind the Coaching for the latest NBA assistant coach news from around the league and our opinions on these additions.