Billy Donovan chooses to resign as head coach of the Bulls.
Billy Donovan has chosen to step down as head coach of the Chicago Bulls after six seasons, sources informed ESPN.
The Bulls expressed their desire for Donovan to return following significant changes within their front office; however, Donovan had an option in his contract for the upcoming season and opted to resign after thorough discussions with team ownership over the past week, sources indicated to ESPN.
Donovan decided that he wanted to facilitate a fresh start for the team, allowing the organization to conduct its front office search and enabling their new top basketball executive to make the next coaching appointment.
The Bulls dismissed executive vice president of basketball operations Arturas Karnisovas and general manager Marc Eversley on April 6 after a six-year tenure that yielded only one playoff appearance. Donovan held discussions with Bulls ownership in the past week and was offered the opportunity to stay in Chicago for as long as he wished, even in a different managerial role if he preferred, sources reported.
“If I interview someone and they’re not sold on Billy, they’re not sold on a Hall of Fame coach,” Bulls CEO and president Michael Reinsdorf stated earlier this month. “They’re not sold on a person who’s won championships in college, who’s gone deep in the playoffs with Oklahoma City. … 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, who is set to be inducted into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame class of 2025, has served as an NBA head coach for the past 11 seasons. He spent the last six years with the Bulls after five seasons in Oklahoma City, where he recorded a 243-157 record and made the playoffs each year. The Bulls finished with a 226-256 record under Donovan, missing the playoffs for the fourth consecutive season this year.
While under contract with the Bulls, Donovan attracted interest from several organizations, including the New York Knicks last offseason and the University of North Carolina during this season, but he remained committed to fulfilling his contract obligations.
Donovan intends to pursue his coaching career and is expected to be a strong candidate in the NBA landscape moving forward, sources noted.
The Bulls have initiated the search for their new top basketball executive, having received permission to interview Minnesota Timberwolves GM Matt Lloyd, Detroit Pistons senior vice president Dennis Lindsey, Atlanta Hawks senior vice president Bryson Graham, Cleveland Cavaliers GM Mike Gansey, and San Antonio Spurs assistant GM Dave Telep, sources informed ESPN.
The Bulls are also anticipated to consult with Austin Brown, co-head of CAA’s basketball division, regarding the vacancy, sources stated.
Bulls officials have commenced interviews for their new head of basketball operations, with the team aiming to appoint its new decision-maker just before or shortly after the mid-May draft combine, according to sources.
ESPN’s Jamal Collier contributed to this report.
