Bill Donovan, Bulls Coach's Father, Dies at 85

Bill Donovan, the father of Chicago Bulls head coach Billy Donovan and a Hall of Fame basketball player at Boston College, died Saturday in Gainesville, Florida. He was 85.

Donovan, a native of Queens, New York, passed away at his home in the city where his son built a storied coaching career at the University of Florida. No cause of death was disclosed in the obituary posted by Williams-Thomas Funeral Home. A memorial service is scheduled for Tuesday in Gainesville, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial on Wednesday.

Born on October 26, 1940, Donovan began his basketball journey at St. Agnes Catholic School before earning a scholarship to Boston College. There, he became a three-year starter and team captain during his senior season in 1961-62. He graduated as the Eagles' third all-time leading scorer with 1,012 points, a mark that cemented his legacy in the program. In 2000, he was inducted into the Boston College Varsity Club Athletic Hall of Fame.

After college, Donovan served in the United States Army, rising to the rank of first lieutenant before receiving an honorable discharge. He later pursued business management studies at Harvard and held executive positions,...