Billy Donovan is parting ways with the Bulls after spending the past six seasons as their head coach, ESPN’s Shams Charania reports. The team has put out a press release officially confirming the split.
It’s the second major organizational change of the spring for the Bulls, who fired executive VP of basketball operations Arturas Karnisovas and general manager Marc Eversley earlier this month. Following that front office shake-up, president and CEO Michael Reinsdorf expressed in strong terms that the team wanted to retain Donovan, but the veteran coach had an option on his contract and has decided to go in another direction.
As Charania details, Donovan discussed the situation at length with team ownership during the past week but ultimately determined that a “clean break” was the right outcome for both sides. Donovan confirmed as much in a formal statement relayed by the Bulls.
“After a series of thoughtful and extensive discussions with ownership regarding the future of the organization, I have decided to step away as the head coach of the Chicago Bulls to allow the search process to unfold,” Donovan said. “I believe it is in the best interest of the Bulls to allow the new leader to build out the staff as they see fit.”
Reinsdorf and his father, Bulls controlling owner Jerry Reinsdorf, issued statements of their own within the team’s press release, expressing gratitude to Donovan for the work he has done with the franchise over the past six years.
The Bulls only made the playoffs once in those six seasons and didn’t advance beyond the first round during that brief postseason run. In total, Donovan compiled a 226-256 (.469) regular season record across six years, winning either 39 or 40 games and appearing in the play-in tournament for three straight seasons from 2022-25.
Chicago’s 31-51 record this season was the worst mark the team posted during Donovan’s tenure, and the team’s mini-fire sale at the deadline created the impression that the organization is more seriously committed to retooling its roster after spending several seasons mired in mediocrity. There had been doubt about whether Donovan, a Hall-of-Famer who will turn 61 next month, would want to stick it out with the Bulls through a rebuild.
While Donovan won’t be back on Chicago’s bench next season, he’s not prepared to retire. Sources tell Charania that Donovan intends to continue his coaching career and will be a “viable target” for NBA teams in the market for a new coach. Donovan drew interest from both NBA teams – including the Knicks a year ago – and college programs – most recently, UNC – while he was under contract with the Bulls.
The Bulls are one of three teams now looking to hire a new permanent head coach, joining the Bucks and the Pelicans. They’re also one of two clubs seeking a new head of basketball operations, along with the Mavericks.
In all likelihood, the Bulls will focus on completing their front office search first, since that would allow their new top basketball operations executive to have a hand in picking Donovan’s replacement.
:)
Bulls finally are changing things and not holding on to the 2021-22 bulls roster
Donovan isnt a bad coach but he sucks as a rebuilding coach
Can’t just blame him the GM did a horrible job drafting.
Insert MJ meme I USED TO PRAY FOR TIMES LIKE THIS……
raz427, what kind of coach do Bulls need? Do they get a young coach and give him freedom to shape the team from scratch? Or is this about a “win now”?
Anyone who can make in game adjustments, not make the same mistakes. Matchups and substitutions are also needed. Halftime adjustments as well, too many times this team got blown tf out in 3rd quarters because he never adjusted to the pace or momentum of a game.
Honestly I have no clue who is ‘hot’ in the coaching circle bc unlike NFL, you have offensive/defensive coordinators who are hot because of a few good years. NBA is a crapshoot.
Isn’t Jerry just going to cheap out and hire two no names while the team hard tanks to high lottery odds?
We are hiring a home depot coach.
Unclemike popping bottles right now…
Good news for Bulls fans!
Got to say I’m kind of surprised that Billy stepped down. He seemed to have the golden ticket. With the statement that he released I gotta say I have more respect for him. Not everyone who has this type of job security would give it up. Best of luck Billy. Now the question is who does Chicago go after?
Billy was the least of the problems with the Bulls, but I respect that he probably saw that they needed a fresh start all around after firing AKME.
Thank you for everything Billy. Best of luck elsewhere
I think it’s faulty to think that Donovan was the problem. He may not be the right coach to lead them to a championship but he nighters been the perfect coach to deal with and teach young players and from what I’ve heard, the players like him. Rather than thinking “finally they got it right” I’m more inclined to think he had a sit down with management and likely felt THEY were not going to do anything to address the organizational problems (GM, coaching decisions, maybe spending) and felt he was better off walking away. Financially he can do a lot of things to earn coaching money, especially with all the new nba platforms hiring today via podcasts, TV and streaming. So don’t “horay” so easily. He might be a sign that things might change cosmeticaly, but that pig is still a pig regardless of the makeup you use.
Any team without a coach is going to go after him
Happy for Billy. Chicago is now probably the most lost organization in the,NBA. Jordan and nothing else.
Come to the Knicks. Because Brown is going to prove he wasn’t the right choice.
I like Taylor Jenkins here. I would think he would be interested also as it looks like Milwaukee is a dead end.
Reinsdorf is going to waive a blank cheque in front of Kerr.
😂😂😂Donovan just dumped Bulls🙈🙈🙈