(104.3 The Score) Bulls head coach Billy Donovan has decided to step down from his post after six seasons on the sideline in Chicago.
Donovan and the Bulls announced that news in a press release Tuesday morning. Bulls president Michael Reinsdorf previously had expressed his strong desire for Donovan to return for the 2026-’27 season after he cleaned house in the front office, but after a series of discussions, the sides agreed it was in the best interest of the organization for the new lead executive to have a clean slate.
“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,” Donovan said in a statement. “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. Thank you Jerry and Michael for giving me this opportunity and more importantly, for the relationship that has been forged. I was so blessed to be able to work with such great owners. I owe so much to my players and staff over the last six years. You all have worked side by side with me, day in and day out to drive the Bulls organization forward. And a huge thank you to Bulls fans, your energy, passion, and unwavering support provided a home-court advantage that is generally unmatched around the league.”
Donovan went 226-256 (.469) in six seasons with the Bulls, who made the playoffs just once in his tenure. That came in the 2021-'22 season, when the Bulls went 46-36 before losing to the Bucks in a first-round series.
“Billy Donovan is one of the finest people and coaches I have had the privilege of knowing and working with,” Bulls chairman Jerry Reinsdorf said in a statement. “He brought class and genuine care to this organization that made a real impact on people. 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. That is the kind of person Billy is – he put the Bulls first. We are deeply grateful for everything he has given to this organization.”
The Bulls have lined up interviews with six candidates for their head of basketball operations vacancy following their recent firing of executive vice president of basketball operations Arturas Karnisovas and general manager Marc Eversley.
The Bulls' search for a new lead executive is heating up, as @ShamsCharania reported. pic.twitter.com/m7j4WN2IV3
— 104.3 The Score (@thescorechicago) April 20, 2026
“Over the past six years, Billy Donovan has earned the respect of everyone in our organization, and his impact extended far beyond the court,” Michael Reinsdorf added in a statement. “He brought professionalism, consistency and leadership to our players and our staff every single day. While we clearly wanted Billy to return as our head coach, we had open dialogue about the importance of respecting the process of bringing in new basketball operations leadership. Together, we mutually agreed that giving that person the freedom to shape the organization was the best approach for everyone involved. We are grateful for everything he has given to this team and wish Billy and his family all the best.”
