Chicago — Billy Donovan has stepped down as head coach of the Chicago Bulls after six seasons, the team announced Tuesday. The decision comes after a series of discussions with ownership regarding the future direction of the franchise.
Donovan, 60, informed the Bulls of his decision to step aside rather than continue under a new front office structure. The team confirmed his departure in an official release, noting that the move was mutually agreed upon to allow incoming basketball operations leadership the freedom to shape the organization as they see fit.
During his tenure from 2020 to 2026, Donovan compiled a record of 226 wins and 256 losses with the Bulls. His overall NBA head coaching record spans 11 seasons, including his time with the Oklahoma City Thunder, where he accumulated a combined 469-413 mark across both franchises.
The Bulls finished the 2025-26 season with a 31-51 record, marking their fourth losing season in Donovan’s six years at the helm. Chicago made only one playoff appearance during his tenure, a first-round exit in the 2021-22 season.
“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,” Donovan said in the team’s announcement. His comments echoed earlier statements made after meetings with team president Michael Reinsdorf, who had expressed a desire for Donovan to remain despite ongoing changes in the front office.
Reinsdorf had previously stated that anyone unwilling to retain Donovan as coach was “probably not the right candidate for us” following the dismissal of executive vice president Artūras Karnišovas and general manager Marc Eversley near the end of the season. But, after further dialogue, both parties agreed that stepping away would best serve the organization’s transition.
Donovan’s departure ends his stint as the third-longest tenured coach in Bulls history, trailing only Phil Jackson and Dick Motta. Throughout his career, he has earned recognition as a two-time NCAA champion with the Florida Gators and received the NBA Coach of the Year honor in 2020 even as with the Thunder.
Born on May 30, 1965, in Rockville Centre, New York, Donovan played collegiately at Providence before a brief professional playing career. He began his coaching journey as an assistant at Kentucky in 1989 and went on to lead programs at Marshall and Florida before entering the NBA ranks.
With the Bulls now searching for a new head coach, the franchise faces a pivotal offseason as it looks to redefine its roster and direction under upcoming leadership changes in basketball operations. The team has not yet announced a timeline for filling the vacancy.
As the NBA offseason progresses, the Bulls’ next steps will be closely watched by fans and analysts alike, particularly regarding how the organization approaches player development, free agency, and potential draft strategies under new guidance.
For continued updates on the Chicago Bulls’ coaching search and offseason moves, stay tuned to verified team announcements and league sources.
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