Billy Donovan has reportedly stepped down as Chicago Bulls head coach after six years in charge of the team.
Despite missing out on the playoffs for the fourth straight season – and the fifth time since he was hired in 2020 – the Bulls wanted to keep Donovan at the helm after making a number of changes to their front office.
Yet according to ESPN’s Shams Charania, the 60-year-old has called time on his spell in Chicago following their disappointing 31-51 season.
Donovan, who held an option in his contract for next season, chose to step down after holding extensive meetings with Bulls chiefs over the past week, Charania claims.
He concluded that the team needs a clean break after his six years in charge, allowing their top basketball executive to bring in a head coach of their own choosing.
Billy Donovan has reportedly quit as Chicago Bulls head coach after six years in charge
The 60-year-old failed to reach the playoffs for the fifth time of his Chicago tenure this season
Executive vice president of basketball operations Arturas Karnisovas and general manager Marc Eversley were both fired this month, with Donovan even offered to remain with the organization in a new managerial capacity if he wished.
However, he has decided to walk away at the end of one of the most disappointing years of his tenure.
The former New York Knicks point guard claimed just 31 wins out of 82 in 2025-26, meaning Chicago missed out on the postseason once more.
He made it to the playoffs on just one occasion, when his Bulls suffered a first-round loss to the Milwaukee Bucks in the 2021-22 campaign – the only season he enjoyed a winning record (46-36).
Donovan moved to Chicago after five seasons in Oklahoma City, where he went 243-157 and made the playoffs every year.
With the Bulls, he went 226-256 overall while missing the postseason on almost every occasion.
It is believed Donovan plans to continue his coaching career after leaving the team. He recently received interest from multiple organizations, including ex-team the Knicks when they fired Tom Thibodeau last year.
The Bulls have began their search for a new top basketball executive and are set to hold interviews with 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.
They are also expected to speak with the co-head of CAA’s basketball division, Austin Brown, while interviews have begun for their new head of basketball operations.
