Chicago owner Jerry Reinsdorf and president Michael Reinsdorf apparently made an effort to retain Donovan after the 2025-26 season.
When the Chicago Bulls and head coach Billy Donovan announced they were mutually parting ways in late April, the departure seemed to be on good terms. Chicago could enter a multi-year rebuild centered around Matas Buzelis and its two upcoming lottery picks, while Donovan — who has battled challenges in his personal life over the past year — could take some time away from basketball.
Donovan is now an assistant coach for the San Antonio Spurs, opting to stay at the NBA level and work with the Western Conference Champions. He'll have the opportunity to train emerging superstar center Victor Wembanyama and potentially accept another head coaching gig in a year or two.
Chicago, on the other hand, is embracing a new era under executive vice president of basketball operations Bryson Graham and head coach Tiago Splitter. The Bulls took a clean-slate approach, but the events of the past almost didn't pan out that way.
In an interview with WCJB TV20 News reporter Olivia Eisenhauer on Sunday, Donovan said that he didn't know what was going to happen when the team's season came to a close on Apr. 12, and revealed that the Reinsdorf family attempted to retain him.
"I loved my time in Chicago," Donovan said. "I loved the ownership group. They were very kind and offered me an opportunity to stay on as the coach, offered me an opportunity to even move into the front office. But they had to bring in a new front office, and I just felt like, with a new front office coming in, that person should have the freedom to choose their coach and build out the organization how they see fit."
Oct 9, 2025; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Bulls head coach Billy Donovan speaks to the media prior to a game against the Cleveland Cavaliers at United Center. Mandatory Credit: Patrick Gorski-Imagn Images Donovan officially stepped away as the Bulls' head coach on Apr. 21 with a 226-256 record in Chicago. Team president Michael Reinsdorf named Graham the Bulls' next lead executive on May 4 and Splitter was hired as Donovan's successor on June 16.
The 2025-26 season was a difficult one for Donovan. During the February All-Star break, his father, Bill Donovan, passed away at the age of 85. His mother-in-law passed away shortly after. Donovan only missed one game before returning to the Bulls.
Donovan admitted that he believed he would spend the next year with his family in St. Augustine, Fla., but a call from San Antonio during the playoffs made him reconsider his options. He's now the lead assistant among a young group of Spurs coaches, led by 39-year-old Mitch Johnson.
"I've been a head coach since I've been 28 years old," Donovan said. "I've been so fortunate that there's been so many coaches that have mentored me, helped me along my journey, and maybe this is a way to give back. What the future holds, I'm not sure, but the people in San Antonio have been nothing but gracious and very accommodating all the way around. I'm excited about it, looking forward to it, and hopefully I can bring some value and help."
Donovan, now 61, earned his first head coaching job at Marshall University in 1994. In the 32 years since then, he has also led the Florida Gators, the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Chicago Bulls. Donovan's wealth of experience will undoubtedly be useful in mentoring Johnson and the rest of the Spurs' coaching staff as they aim to return to the NBA Finals.
The last time that Donovan was an assistant coach at any level was from 1989 to 1994, when he was with the Kentucky Wildcats under Rick Pitino.
