Milwaukee Bucks fans react to firing of Coach Budenholzer

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- Wisconsin sports fans have faced a lot of change in the past month, and the firing of Milwaukee Bucks Head Coach Mike Budenholzer just adds to the list. 

Bucks General Manager Jon Horst and President Peter Feigin announced Budenholzer's departure in a statement on Thursday. 

A letter from Bucks General Manager Jon Horst and Team President Peter Feigin. pic.twitter.com/8Y8t8V918x

— Milwaukee Bucks (@Bucks) May 4, 2023

Some fans said they're sad to say goodbye to the coach who led the team to their first championship in 50 years.

"Boy, that's kind of a bummer," Zach Haertl said. "I always liked Bud."

The change in leadership didn't come as a complete surprise. Fans said they saw the writing on the wall after the Bucks lost to the Miami Heat in Game 5 of the first round of the NBA Playoffs.

"He had timeouts to call. Why weren't they called? Everyone was getting pretty fired up about that," Haertl said.

Now fans are questioning who will or can replace Budenholzer. 

"I feel like we're at a time of uncertainty of where is the team going to go next? Who's now going to come in and coach everybody?" Foley Van Lieshout said. 

Some fans worry it will be hard to fill Budenholzer's shoes. 

"Obviously, we have an amazing team, but we need a coach who's going to come in and sort of carry our momentum," Van Lieshout said.

They plan to welcome the next coach and their fresh perspective with open arms.

"I think it was a great coach. They're great players. It's a great city, and great things are on the horizon," Foster Harris said. 

Fans are hoping the next coach will lead the team to another championship victory.