Could the Chicago Bulls head coach return to college basketball and lead the Tar Heels?
With just 10 games remaining in the Bulls' regular season, the rumor mill is already swirling.
Head coach Billy Donovan has been the subject of much of the recent speculation. On Tuesday, the Chicago Sun-Times reported that there was "growing momentum" within the Chicago Bulls' building that Donovan could step away from the job at the end of the season. The University of North Carolina fired head coach Hubert Davis just hours later, and many insiders were quick to connect the dots between Donovan and the Tar Heels' vacancy, should the two-time national champion want to return to college hoops.
Donovan addressed those rumors prior to Wednesday's road game against the Philadelphia 76ers, in which the Bulls were blown out, 157-137. He didn't shut down the possibility of heading to Chapel Hill — or leaving the Bulls in general — but emphasized his commitment to his current team.
"My main focus is on these guys and this new team," Donovan said. "I understand that there’s stuff out there, and I understand that there is going to be certain speculation. But I have to concentrate on this group, and really, my focus is on what we’re doing here in Chicago, having a game tonight, and traveling to go and play in a back-to-back."
Donovan is a Naismith Basketball Hall of Famer because of his time at the collegiate level. After two seasons at Marshall, the former Providence guard was hired by the University of Florida. Donovan led the Gators to unprecedented success, including 14 NCAA Tournament appearances over 19 seasons.
Florida completed its ascension to the top of the sport in 2006, when the Gators won their first National Championship in program history. All five of Florida's starters returned in 2007 and helped bring home a second consecutive NCAA Tournament title.
Mar 20, 2014; Orlando, FL, USA; Florida Gators head coach Billy Donovan talks with forward Will Yeguete (15) against the Albany Great Danes during the first half of a men's college basketball game during the second round of the 2014 NCAA Tournament at Amway Center. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-Imagn ImagesDonovan left college for the Oklahoma City Thunder in 2015 and remained successful at the NBA level. OKC made the playoffs in all five of Donovan's seasons as the Thunder's head coach — reaching the Western Conference Finals in his first — before the two sides agreed to part ways.
His time with the Bulls has been similarly consistent, but a lack of talent on the roster has led Chicago to be consistently mediocre instead. Donovan is not absolved from all blame in the Bulls' failures over the last six years, but the team's front office certainly hasn't given him any favors either.
As Donovan weighs whether to stay in the Windy City or step away after a challenging season — both on the court and off — the Bulls' head coach made it clear that he still wants to win. Whether that drive comes in Chicago or elsewhere is yet to be determined.
"I’ve had times in college where you’re not in the tournament and you’re not in the mix," Donovan added. "That’s always disappointing because you want to be in the mix of trying to win a championship. I want to be in that situation. I understand it doesn’t happen overnight and in the blink of an eye. It takes a lot of hard work and diligence. You’ve got to build and really identify the players you want to have."