Bickerstaff played his first two collegiate seasons at Oregon State and finished his career at the University of Minnesota.

[1] He was made interim head coach of the Rockets on November 18, 2015, after Kevin McHale was fired.

[2] On that same day, he made his coaching debut against the Portland Trail Blazers with a 108–103 overtime victory.

[4] On June 8, 2016, Bickerstaff was hired by the Memphis Grizzlies to be the associate head coach.

[5] On November 27, 2017, Bickerstaff was promoted as the Grizzlies' interim head coach after the firing of David Fizdale.