Roth played four years of college basketball for the Wisconsin Badgers between 1981 and 1985, averaging more than 18 points per game in his senior season.[2] He was a three-year starter and two-time All-Big Ten selection.[3]
On February 25, 1988, Roth signed with the Utah Jazz. He was waived by the Jazz on December 12, 1988.[6] In 42 games for the Jazz across the 1987–88 NBA season and 1988–89 NBA season, he averaged 2.5 points in 6.5 minutes per game.[1]
In January 1989, Roth signed with the San Antonio Spurs.[6] In 47 games to finish the 1988–89 season, he averaged 3.4 points, 1.2 rebounds and 1.0 assists in 9.9 minutes per game.[1]
In June 1989, Roth was acquired by the Minnesota Timberwolves in an expansion draft.[6] On January 6, 1990, he scored a career-high 24 points against the Spurs.[7] In 71 games for the Timberwolves in the 1989–90 NBA season, he averaged 6.8 points, 1.6 rebounds and 1.6 assists in 14.9 minutes per game.[1]
Roth's final four professional seasons were spent in Spain with Tau Cerámica (1990–91), in Greece with Panathinaikos (1991–92), in Spain again with Llíria (1992–93), and in Turkey again with Muratpaşa Belediyespor (1993–94).[4]
In January 2008, Roth resigned as scout of the Bucks and took over as head coach of the Bakersfield Jam in the NBA D-League for the rest of the 2007–08 season.[9] He returned to the Jam for the 2008–09 season[10] and guided the team to their first playoff appearance.[11] After being sacked by the Jam,[11] he coached the NBA D-League Select Team during the 2009 NBA Summer League.[12]
In February 2014, Roth was hired by the Detroit Pistons to be assistant coach for the remainder of the 2013–14 season.[15]
On July 29, 2014, Roth was appointed head coach of Spanish club Baloncesto Sevilla.[16] However, he was not granted a coaching license[17] and therefore was not allowed to act as head coach during Liga ACB games. Roth ran practices and coached the team in its Eurocup games, where Spanish league rules did not apply. His assistant, Audie Norris, was officially coach of the team for Spanish league games.[18] The team started 0–5 and the situation became untenable, which led to Roth's contract being terminated on January 22, 2015.[19][20]
Roth served as the inaugural head coach of the Tasmania JackJumpers in the 2021–22 NBL season,[27] winning the NBL Coach of the Year[28] and guiding the JackJumpers to the NBL Grand Final.[29][30] In May 2022, Roth re-signed with the JackJumpers for three more seasons.[31] In January 2024, he re-signed with the JackJumpers until the end of the 2026–27 season.[32] He helped the team reach the 2024 NBL Grand Final series,[33] where they defeated Melbourne United 3–2 to win the championship.[34]
