Chicago Bulls Fire Coach Billy Donovan After 6 Seasons

The Chicago Bulls have fired head coach Billy Donovan after six seasons. This comes after the team missed the playoffs for the fourth straight year.
By Newsroom | Sports, Basketball |

HEAD COACH EXITS AFTER SIX SEASONS AS TEAM SEEKS NEW DIRECTION

Chicago Bulls are moving on from head coach Billy Donovan, the team officially stated today. The departure follows a substantial restructuring at the executive level, with Arturas Karnisovas and Marc Eversley, executive vice president and general manager respectively, having been dismissed.

Donovan opted out of his contract, choosing to step down rather than remain with the franchise following significant organizational changes and meetings with team ownership.

The Bulls, having recently missed the postseason for the fourth straight year, are initiating a search for both a new head of basketball operations and a head coach. Candidates for the executive role reportedly include Matt Lloyd, Dennis Lindsey, Bryson Graham, Mike Gansey, and Dave Telep. The team is also considering Austin Brown, an agent, for a front-office position.

Donovan leaves Bulls amid sweeping changes - 1

Donovan's tenure, spanning six seasons, yielded a 226-256 record, with only a single playoff appearance. He has been with the Bulls since 2020. His departure comes after the team's recent conclusion to the 2025-26 season.

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While the Bulls indicated a desire for Donovan to remain, he exercised an option in his contract. Sources suggest he met with ownership over the past week, where he was reportedly offered the chance to stay with the organization, potentially in a different capacity. Donovan himself cited the desire for a new leader to build the team's future staff and expressed a longing to coach in meaningful NBA games later into the spring. He noted that the team still felt like a "fixer-upper."

Donovan, a member of the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame Class of 2025, has accumulated 11 seasons as an NBA head coach. His prior five-year stint with the Oklahoma City Thunder saw consistent playoff appearances. Reports indicate Donovan is now considered a top candidate for other coaching vacancies around the league. His previous contract with the Bulls included an option for the upcoming season.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Why did the Chicago Bulls part ways with head coach Billy Donovan?
The Chicago Bulls have decided to move on from head coach Billy Donovan after six seasons. This decision comes after the team missed the playoffs for the fourth consecutive year and follows a significant restructuring of the team's executive leadership.
Q: What was Billy Donovan's record with the Chicago Bulls?
Billy Donovan coached the Bulls for six seasons, from 2020 to the end of the 2025-26 season. His overall record was 226 wins and 256 losses, with one playoff appearance.
Q: What happens next for the Chicago Bulls?
The Bulls are now looking to hire both a new head of basketball operations and a new head coach. They are considering several candidates for these important leadership roles as they aim to build a new direction for the team.
Q: Will Billy Donovan coach another NBA team?
Billy Donovan has an option in his contract to leave the Bulls and is reportedly a top candidate for other coaching jobs that have opened up around the league. He stated a desire to coach in meaningful NBA games later this spring.