Adrian Griffin was surprised by Terry Stotts’ resignation

Griffin and Stotts allegedly figured in a shootaround incident before the resignation.

© Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports

Just like most basketball followers, coach Adrian Griffin was left shocked when Terry Stotts stepped down as assistant coach of the Milwaukee Bucks less than a week before the regular season tips off.

In a report by Eric Nehm of The Athletic, Griffin said he was caught off guard by Stotts’ decision to resign four months after he was hired as one of the assistant coaches of the revamped Milwaukee coaching staff.

Stotts’ shocking decision

“Of course. It caught all of us off guard, of course, but again, you just support him. He was a terrific guy. I learned a lot from him in a very short time. He was really good at what he does. He made a decision – a personal decision – and we just have to respect that,” said Griffin.

Griffin: “Of course. It caught all of us off guard, of course, but again, you just support him. He was a terrific guy. I learned a lot from him in a very short time. He was really good at what he does. He made a decision – a personal decision – and we just have to respect that.”

— Eric Nehm (@eric_nehm) October 19, 2023

Griffin refused to speculate when asked what could have caused Stotts to step down.

“You’re going to have to ask Terry. He’s a great coach. I really enjoyed getting to know him. Terrific person. It was his decision. I just wish him the best,” Griffin said.

Shootaround incident

A separate report by Shams Charania, also of The Athletic, narrated a shoot-around incident involving Griffin and Stotts last Tuesday.

Citing sources, Charania reported that Griffin gathered the team for a huddle to end the training session and allowed the players for some post-shootaround shooting drills.

In the huddle, Griffin also announced that he wanted a separate huddle with the coaches.

After the huddle, Stotts reportedly left the coaches’ huddle and walked toward Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard.

Adrian asked Terry to join the coaches’ huddle. Stotts asked that he would be given more time to talk to Giannis and Dame, but Griffin allegedly yelled and insisted the veteran coach join the coaching huddle.

Stotts’ sudden resignation cut short his third tour of duty with the Bucks. The former Portland Trail Blazers head coach joined the Bucks in 1998 as an assistant coach.

After stints with other teams, the 65-year-old Stotts returned to Milwaukee and coached the team for two seasons. 

Terry Stotts steps down as an assistant coach of the Milwaukee Bucks