Billy Donovan is leaving his role as head coach of the Chicago Bulls after six seasons, the team confirmed Tuesday, marking a significant shift for a franchise already undergoing major changes.
The decision follows a disappointing 31–51 campaign and comes shortly after the organization dismissed key front office figures, including its top basketball executives. Although team leadership expressed a strong desire to keep Donovan, the veteran coach ultimately chose to step away, exercising an option in his contract for next season.
Donovan said in a statement: “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. 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.” He added that his appreciation for the franchise runs deep, thanking ownership, players, staff, and fans for their support during his tenure.
Over six years in Chicago, Donovan compiled a 226–256 record, with just one winning season and a single playoff appearance—a first-round exit in 2022. The team has struggled to regain past success, failing to reach 50 wins since the 2014–15 season. Despite those results, Bulls ownership made it clear that Donovan was not the primary issue.
Chairman Jerry Reinsdorf praised both his leadership and character, emphasizing that the decision was rooted in the organization’s broader restructuring: “Billy Donovan is one of the finest people and coaches I have had the privilege of knowing and working with. We wanted Billy to continue as our head coach — that was never in question. But through honest conversations, we all agreed that giving our new Head of Basketball Operations the right to build out his staff was the most important thing for the future of this franchise.”
Before joining the Bulls in 2020, Donovan found sustained success at both the college and NBA levels. He led the Oklahoma City Thunder to the playoffs in each of his five seasons there and previously built a powerhouse at the University of Florida, winning two national championships and becoming the program’s all-time winningest coach. His accomplishments earned him induction into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame in 2025. At 60, Donovan is not expected to retire and is still viewed as a strong candidate for future coaching opportunities, whether in the NBA or at the collegiate level.
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