Bucks fans ready for new era amid reports Doc Rivers will be new head coach

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- With the reports the Bucks will hire Doc Rivers as the team's new head coach, fans at Wednesday night's game against the Cavs were buzzing with excitement over the possibilities.

Rivers would bring an accomplished resume to the Bucks' sideline, though some fans are concerned about his lack of consistent postseason success.

Whether it's Doc Rivers as rumored, or a late surprise hire, a new era of Bucks basketball is about to begin.

Fans are glad to be starting from a position of strength and with a championship roster, and they're happy to essentially hear from the organization that good enough is not good enough.

Bucks fan Dennis Gray told us the Rivers reports filled him with, "Excitement. Excitement."

Dave Tolson said, "I'm impressed that they're willing to say, 'I made a mistake, let's try something else.'"

As the second half of the NBA season pushes closer to the playoffs, the Bucks' championship push is just heating up.

Bucks General Manager Jon Horst would not address the Doc Rivers rumors Wednesday, saying at a news conference, "I hope you understand, we're not going to talk about Doc tonight. That's not part of this."

But the familiar face is expected to be leading the charge.

Tolson said, "I think they had to do what they had to do. And I hope that Doc can bring us another championship like he did in '08 with the Celtics."

Fans are hoping Rivers' return to Milwaukee will be a happy homecoming.

On the Marquette University campus, senior Billy Rojack told us, "For as long as I can remember, I've been a Marquette basketball fan and Doc Rivers has always been an icon here."

Rivers' retired Marquette number already hangs from the Fiserv Forum rafters. His return would bring expectations of hanging another Bucks championship banner.

Young Bucks fan Chip McBride said, "I think he's going to get our defense together and hopefully get us a championship this year."

Alex Binelas, of Oak Creek, told us, "Coached many great teams, many great players. You'd think he'd be able to do it here in Milwaukee. It's going to be fun to see as a fan."

The Bucks are tied for the second-best record in the league, but Wisconsin sports fans say the bold coaching change reflects an overall higher standard, where good is not good enough.

Gray said it signified "They're not afraid to expand and spend money on this organization."

At the same time the Bucks were reportedly working to secure Rivers, the Packers fired Defensive Coordinator Joe Barry, even after a big playoff win over the Cowboys.

At the Bucks game, Packers fan Tom Frischmann, of Medford, WI, agreed with the move, saying, "LaFleur jumped in and helped on the defense. I think it's a good move because it was not very good early in the season."

And the NL Central Division Champion Brewers signed power hitting first baseman Rhys Hoskins to strengthen a lineup that again went cold in the playoffs.

Brewers fan Michael De Los Santos, in town from Salem, OR told us, "As long as he's getting in runs, he's doing his job. With runs, we become better. So, I'm just super excited to see how it plays out."

But it will be the Bucks that get the first crack at raising a trophy, which could come in a new Doc Rivers era.

Gray told us the mentality is now, "We're here to work. We're here to perform. And hopefully, this is what we need."