Bulls and Donovan Mutually Part Ways

The Chicago Bulls and head coach Billy Donovan mutually agreed to part ways on Tuesday, ending his six-year tenure with the franchise following another disappointing season. The decision comes amid a broader organizational overhaul, as the team seeks new leadership to rebuild one of the NBA's storied programs.

Donovan, a Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame inductee in the class of 2025, informed Bulls ownership of his choice after extensive discussions last week. The 60-year-old coach, who held an option for the 2026-2027 season, opted to step aside to give the incoming head of basketball operations freedom to assemble their staff. Sources indicated that the Bulls offered Donovan the chance to remain in various roles, including as head coach under new management, but he prioritized the organization's long-term needs.

The Bulls finished the 2025-2026 regular season with a 31-51 record, marking their fourth straight year missing the playoffs. Over Donovan's time in Chicago, the team compiled a 226-256 mark, with just one postseason appearance in his debut 2021-2022 campaign, when they went 46-36 before losing to the Milwaukee Bucks in the first round. Injuries to key players like...