Donovan steps down as Bulls coach

TL;DR

Billy Donovan has stepped down as head coach of the Chicago Bulls after missing the NBA playoffs for the fifth time in six seasons. His departure allows the new leadership to hire a coach that fits their vision for the team.

Key points

Billy Donovan stepped down as head coach of the Chicago Bulls
The Bulls missed the NBA playoffs for the fifth time in six seasons
Donovan's record with the Bulls was 226-256
He previously coached the Oklahoma City Thunder
The Bulls have not won a playoff series since 2015

Mentioned in this story

Billy Donovan

Chicago BullsOklahoma City ThunderMilwaukee Bucks

Billy Donovan has stepped down as head coach of the Chicago Bulls (Geoff Stellfox) (Geoff Stellfox/GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA/Getty Images via AFP) Billy Donovan stepped down as coach of the Chicago Bulls on Tuesday after the team missed the NBA playoffs for the fifth time in his six seasons in charge. Donovan, who guided Florida to US college crowns in 2006 and 2007, went 226-256 with the Bulls after arriving in 2020, but had his worst season in Chicago in this past campaign, going 31-51. "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 released by the club. "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." Donovan, 60, left Florida in 2015 to become coach of the Oklahoma City Thunder, which reached the playoffs in each of his five seasons there, losing in the Western Conference finals in 2016 and the first round in each of the next four seasons. After going 243-157 with the Thunder, he departed in September 2020 after being unable to reach a deal on a contract extension. Two weeks later, Donovan signed with the Bulls. Chicago only reached the playoffs once under Donovan, losing to Milwaukee in the first round in 2022. Earlier this month, the Bulls fired vice president of basketball operations Arturas Karnisovas and general manager Marc Eversley after six-year stays. Donovan's departure gives their eventual replacement a clean slate in hiring a new coach. "Billy Donovan is one of the finest people and coaches I have had the privilege of knowing and working with," Bulls owner Jerry Reinsdorf said. "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's the kind of person Billy is -- he put the Bulls first. We're deeply grateful for everything he has given to this organization." The Bulls have not won a playoff series since 2015 and have missed the playoffs in eight of the past nine years with only one winning campaign. They last won the NBA crown in 1998, the last of Michael Jordan's six titles with the Bulls. js/dmc/mw

Q&A

Why did Billy Donovan resign as head coach of the Chicago Bulls?

Billy Donovan resigned after discussions with ownership about the future of the organization, believing it was best for a new leader to build their own staff.

What was Billy Donovan's record with the Chicago Bulls?

Billy Donovan had a record of 226 wins and 256 losses during his tenure with the Chicago Bulls.

When was the last time the Chicago Bulls won an NBA playoff series?

The Chicago Bulls last won an NBA playoff series in 2015.