The Chicago Bulls' recent front office shakeup was one that intended to have head coach Billy Donovan still atop the organization as head coach, but Donovan made a stunning decision announced by the team on Tuesday morning. Donovan has elected to step down after six seasons as the Bulls head coach, citing that he wants to allow the incoming new Head of Basketball Operations the freedom to build his staff in line with his vision. Chicago wanted him to stay.
Donovan held a contract option that he elected not to exercise after a series of meetings with ownership in the last week, according to ESPN’s sources. The Bulls countered with an offer for Donovan to stay on in an informal, or in any, capacity, including a managerial role. Donovan ultimately felt stepping aside was for the good of the franchise.
It ends an era in Chicago for Donovan, who has a career 226-256 record with the team and one playoff appearance, missing the postseason for a fourth straight season this year. He previously had five seasons coaching the OKC Thunder, where he went 243-157 and made the playoffs in every campaign. Donovan was elected to the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame in 2025.
Here is the full story from Bulls Roundtable writer Gavin Dorsey on the shocking announcement and what’s next for the franchise.
Donovan had drawn interest from the New York Knicks and UNC Tar Heels during his time with the Bulls but had chosen to honor his contract. He does plan to keep coaching and is expected to garner considerable interest across the league. Meanwhile, Chicago is looking to target a hire for their new basketball ops around the mid-May draft combine as an era for the Bulls comes to an unexpected close.