Billy Donovan leaves the Chicago Bulls bench
The Chicago Bulls announced this Tuesday the departure of Billy Donovan as head coach, marking the end of his six-season tenure at the helm of the team. The decision was made after conversations between Donovan and the management about the future of the franchise.This change comes weeks after modifications to the club’s executive structure, including the departure of basketball operations vice president Artūras Karnišovas, and general manager Marc Eversley. The organization expressed interest in Donovan’s continuity, but both the coach and the team agreed that it was best for the new sports management to build its own project. In his farewell, Donovan expressed his gratitude to the franchise, players, and fans.“After reflecting with the ownership, I believe the best thing for the Bulls is to step aside,” the coach said in a statement.
During his time in Chicago (2020-2026), Donovan compiled a record of 226-256, with only one playoff qualification and three appearances in the ‘play-in’. His management was characterized by stability in the midst of a reconstruction process, although without managing to turn the team into a contender in the Eastern Conference. The Bulls finished the 2025-2026 season with a 31-51 record, missing out even on the ‘play-in’ spots. With Donovan’s departure, the franchise begins a new stage in search of redefining its competitive identity and aiming for better results in the future.“My gratitude towards this organization and its community is permanent. I deeply thank the players, the coaching staff, and the fans for their support and passion during these years”.
