Billy Donovan has decided to step down as head coach of the Chicago Bulls after six seasons.
The Bulls announced Donovan’s decision, saying they wanted the longtime coach to remain in Chicago but added that they respected his choice.
Donovan’s Decision to Depart
Donovan held an option in his contract for next season and elected to step down after extensive meetings with team ownership, sources have said.
“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 in a statement released by the team. “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.”
The Bulls made clear that the organisation wanted Donovan back after making sweeping changes to their front office.
Bulls’ Reaction to Donovan’s Departure
“We wanted Billy to continue as our head coach — that was never in question,” Bulls owner Jerry Reinsdorf said. “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. That is the kind of person Billy is — he put the Bulls first. We are deeply grateful for everything he has given to this organization.”
Michael Reinsdorf said: “While we clearly wanted Billy to return as our head coach, we had open dialogue about the importance of respecting the process of bringing in new Basketball Operations leadership. Together, we mutually agreed that giving that person the freedom to shape the organization was the best approach for everyone involved.”
Changes in the Bulls’ Front Office
The Bulls fired executive vice president of basketball operations Arturas Karnisovas and general manager Marc Eversley on April 6 after a six-year run produced just one playoff appearance.
Donovan held meetings with Bulls ownership and was offered to remain in Chicago for as long as he wanted, even in a new managerial capacity if he so desired, sources said.
Michael Reinsdorf emphasized earlier this month that he expected the Bulls’ new front-office leadership to work with Donovan, saying: “If I interview someone and they’re not sold on Billy, they’re not sold on a Hall of Fame coach. … If Billy wants to be our coach and someone’s not interested in that, then they’re probably not the right candidate for us.”
Donovan’s Coaching Career
Donovan, a member of the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame class of 2025, has been an NBA head coach for the last 11 seasons. He spent the last six years in Chicago after five campaigns in Oklahoma City, where he went 243-157 and made the playoffs every year.
The Bulls went 226-256 under Donovan and missed the playoffs for a fourth consecutive season this year.
Donovan received interest from multiple organisations while under contract with the Bulls — from the New York Knicks last offseason and the Univer