Billy Donovan has decided to exit as head coach of the Chicago Bulls after six seasons, sources told ESPN.
The Bulls made clear that the organization wanted Donovan back after making sweeping changes to their front office, but Donovan held an option in his contract for next season and elected to step down after extensive meetings with team ownership in the last week, sources told ESPN.
Donovan determined he wanted to give the team a clean break, provide the ability for the organization to undergo its front office search and allow their new top basketball executive to make the next coaching hire.
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 over the last week 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.
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“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 said 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, 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 organizations while under contract with the Bulls — from the New York Knicks last offseason and the University of North Carolina during this season — but maintained his desire to complete the commitment on his contract.
Donovan plans to continue his coaching career and will be a viable target moving forward in the NBA landscape, sources said.
The Bulls have started the search process for their new top basketball executive, receiving 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 told ESPN.
The Bulls are also expected to speak with the co-head of CAA’s basketball division, Austin Brown, regarding the vacancy, sources said.
Bulls officials have begun interviews for their new head of basketball operations, and the team is aiming to hire its new decision-maker just before or just after the mid-May draft combine, according to sources.
ESPN’s Jamal Collier contributed to this report.
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