Trending Now - Billy Donovan Departs Bulls, Eyes Future Coaching Opportunities

WHO:

RealGM Basketball - Billy Donovan, head coach of the Chicago Bulls.

RealGM Basketball - Arturas Karnisovas, executive vice president of basketball operations for the Bulls.

RealGM Basketball - Marc Eversley, general manager of the Bulls.

Pro Football Network - New York Knicks, University of North Carolina, Michael Malone.

WHAT:

NBC Sports - Donovan was the third-longest-tenured coach in Bulls history, trailing only Phil Jackson and Dick Motta.

NBC Sports - Donovan's career record with the Bulls was 226 wins and 256 losses, with one playoff appearance in six seasons.

NBC Sports - Donovan's exit marks the end of his second stint as an NBA coach, having previously coached the Oklahoma City Thunder.

NBC Sports - Donovan stated, “I believe it is in the best interest of the Bulls to allow the new leader to build out the staff as they see fit. My gratitude for this community and this organization is permanent.”

NBC Sports - Team owner Jerry Reinsdorf said, “We wanted Billy to continue as our head coach — that was never in question... But through honest conversations, we all agreed that giving our new Head of Basketball Operations the right to build out his staff was the most important thing for the future of this franchise.”

NBC Sports - Billy Donovan stated, “After a series of thoughtful and extensive discussions with ownership regarding the future of the organization, I have decided to step away as the head coach of the Chicago Bulls, to allow the search process to unfold.”

NBC Sports - Donovan leaves the Bulls with a career record of 226 wins and 256 losses and one playoff appearance in six seasons.

NBC Sports - Donovan was elected to the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame in 2025.

NBC Sports - Donovan is now considered a leading candidate for coaching vacancies across the NBA and major college programs.

Pro Football Network - Donovan received interest from the New York Knicks during the 2025 offseason before signing an extension with the Bulls.

Pro Football Network - The University of North Carolina wanted to interview Donovan but eventually hired Michael Malone instead.

RealGM Basketball - Billy Donovan has stepped down as head coach of the Chicago Bulls.

RealGM Basketball - Donovan had been with the Bulls for six seasons since leaving the Oklahoma City Thunder in 2020.

RealGM Basketball - The Bulls fired Arturas Karnisovas and Marc Eversley on April 6th, 2026.

RealGM Basketball - Donovan was given the opportunity to stay as head coach or in a new managerial capacity but chose to leave.

Pro Football Network - Donovan is expected to be a leading candidate for coaching vacancies in the NBA.

WHERE:

RealGM Basketball - Chicago, Illinois (home of the Chicago Bulls).

RealGM Basketball - Oklahoma City, Oklahoma (previous team of Donovan).

WHEN:

RealGM Basketball - Donovan's tenure with the Bulls began in 2020 and ended in April 2026.

RealGM Basketball - The Bulls' front office changes occurred on April 6th, 2026.

WHY:

NBC Sports - Donovan expressed a desire to be in a situation where the team was competing in the playoffs, stating, “Selfishly, competitively, I want us to be in that situation where we’re playing in real legitimate (games).”

NBC Sports - Donovan felt that the Bulls were entering a multi-year retooling project, which influenced his decision to step down. He expressed a desire to be in a situation where the team was competing in the playoffs, stating, “Selfishly, competitively, I want us to be in that situation where we’re playing in real legitimate (games).”

NBC Sports - Donovan felt that allowing the new head of basketball operations the right to build out their staff was the most important thing for the future of the franchise.

RealGM Basketball - Donovan wanted to allow the Bulls to have a clean break as they search for a new top basketball executive.

NY Post - Donovan did not want to remain with the Bulls under a new regime.

HOW:

NBC Sports - Donovan had an option in his contract for the next season but chose to step away instead.

NBC Sports - Donovan had “extensive discussions” with Bulls ownership before deciding to step down.

RealGM Basketball - Donovan met with Bulls ownership over the past week before deciding to step down.

(UPDATED April 22, 2026 15:21 UTC)

Billy Donovan has stepped down as head coach of the Chicago Bulls, marking the end of his second stint in the NBA after previously coaching the Oklahoma City Thunder. During his time with the Bulls, Donovan recorded 226 wins and 256 losses, leading the team to just one playoff appearance in six seasons. He expressed a desire to be in a situation where the team is competing in the playoffs, and despite having an option for the next season, he chose to walk away.

(UPDATED April 22, 2026 05:42 UTC)

In a surprising turn of events, Bulls head coach Billy Donovan has stepped down, stating that it is in the best interest of the team to allow the new leader to build out their staff as they see fit. Team owner Jerry Reinsdorf emphasized that while they wanted Donovan to continue, they all agreed that giving the new Head of Basketball Operations the freedom to assemble their team was crucial for the franchise's future. Donovan, who felt the Bulls were entering a multi-year retooling project, expressed a desire to be in a situation where the team is competing in the playoffs, saying he wants to be involved in "real legitimate games."

(UPDATED April 22, 2026 03:58 UTC)

Billy Donovan has announced that he is stepping away as head coach of the Chicago Bulls after six seasons, stating that he wants to allow the new head of basketball operations the opportunity to build their own staff. He leaves the team with a record of 226 wins and 256 losses, along with one playoff appearance, and was elected to the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame in 2025. Following his departure, Donovan is now viewed as a leading candidate for coaching positions across the NBA and major college programs.

(UPDATED April 21, 2026 19:21 UTC)

Donovan received interest from the New York Knicks during the 2025 offseason before ultimately signing an extension with the Chicago Bulls. The University of North Carolina also expressed interest in interviewing Donovan for their head coach position but decided to hire Michael Malone instead. Donovan's decision to stay with the Bulls was influenced by his desire to give the team a clean break as they search for a new top basketball executive.

(UPDATED April 21, 2026 17:20 UTC)

Billy Donovan has stepped down as head coach of the Chicago Bulls after six seasons, having joined the team in 2020 from the Oklahoma City Thunder. He was given the option to stay in a new managerial role but chose to leave, wanting to allow the Bulls a clean break as they search for a new top basketball executive following the firing of Arturas Karnisovas and Marc Eversley April 6th. Donovan is now expected to be a leading candidate for coaching vacancies in the NBA after meeting with Bulls ownership over the past week.