The Chicago Bulls, one of the NBA’s most storied franchises, are officially turning the page on a major chapter. On April 21, 2026, Billy Donovan stepped down as head coach after six seasons at the helm, marking the end of an era defined by both hope and hard lessons. The move comes just nine days after a disappointing 31-51 finish to the 2025-2026 season and follows sweeping changes in the Bulls’ front office. With Donovan’s departure, the Bulls now face a pivotal offseason that promises to reshape the team’s direction for years to come.
Donovan’s decision was not made lightly. According to multiple sources, he held an option in his contract for the 2026-2027 season but ultimately chose to step away after a series of extensive meetings with team ownership. In a statement released by the team, Donovan said, “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. 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.”
Donovan’s exit comes on the heels of the Bulls firing executive vice president of basketball operations Arturas Karnisovas and general manager Marc Eversley on April 6, 2026. The pair had led the front office for six years but managed just one playoff appearance, a sign of the franchise’s ongoing struggles to reclaim its former glory. For Donovan, the front office shake-up was a key factor in his decision. As he explained, “Selfishly, competitively, I want us to be in that situation where we’re playing in real legitimate (games). You’re in the playoffs, you’re going through a seven-game series and you’re trying to advance and move on.”
Team owner Jerry Reinsdorf and president Michael Reinsdorf both expressed their deep appreciation for Donovan’s leadership and character. Jerry Reinsdorf said, “Billy Donovan is one of the finest people and coaches I have had the privilege of knowing and working with. 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.”
Michael Reinsdorf echoed those sentiments, highlighting Donovan’s professionalism and daily impact: “Over the past six years, Billy Donovan has earned the respect of everyone in our organization, and his impact extended far beyond the court. 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.”
Donovan’s tenure with the Bulls began in September 2020, when he was hired on a four-year contract to replace Jim Boylen. He signed a multi-year extension in July 2025, but the team’s lack of progress ultimately led to this week’s mutual parting. His six-year run produced a 226-256 record, with only one winning season—a 46-36 campaign in 2021-2022 that saw the Bulls make the playoffs for the first and only time under his leadership. That year, the Bulls lost in the first round to the Milwaukee Bucks. In the subsequent seasons, the Bulls reached the NBA Play-In Tournament three times but were knocked out each year by the Miami Heat.
Injuries played a major role in the Bulls’ struggles. Core players Lonzo Ball, DeMar DeRozan, Zach LaVine, and Nikola Vucevic rarely shared the court together for extended stretches, hampering the team’s ability to develop the chemistry needed for a deep playoff run. The 2025-2026 campaign, which ended with the Bulls’ lowest win total since Donovan’s arrival, was particularly impacted by roster turnover and injuries. The front office had already moved on from LaVine, DeRozan, and Alex Caruso, and this season saw the departures of Vucevic, Coby White, and Ayo Dosunmu as the team committed to a full rebuild.
Despite the mounting losses, Donovan remained a respected figure in the organization and the league. He was the third-longest-tenured coach in Bulls history, trailing only Phil Jackson and Dick Motta, and as of April 2026, he was also the third-longest-tenured coach in the entire NBA, behind Erik Spoelstra and Steve Kerr. Donovan’s coaching pedigree is undeniable: prior to joining the Bulls, he led the Oklahoma City Thunder to the playoffs in each of his five seasons, including a trip to the Western Conference finals in 2016. His college coaching career is equally decorated, with two national championships at Florida, and he was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in September 2025 for his achievements at the collegiate level.
Donovan’s future in coaching appears bright. While he passed on several high-profile opportunities to return to college basketball in recent years—including interest from the University of North Carolina—league sources expect him to be a top candidate for NBA openings in the coming weeks. The Milwaukee Bucks and New Orleans Pelicans, both with current coaching vacancies, are likely to show interest. According to sources, Donovan “plans to continue his coaching career and will be a viable target moving forward in the NBA landscape.”
For the Bulls, the immediate priority is to hire a new head of basketball operations before or just after the mid-May draft combine. The organization has already begun interviewing candidates, including 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. The new executive will then oversee the search for a new head coach, signaling a fresh start for a franchise eager to return to relevance.
The Bulls’ offseason will be one of the most consequential in recent memory. With a high draft pick potentially on the horizon and a clean slate in both the front office and coaching staff, Chicago fans are left to wonder: Can this be the beginning of a true turnaround for the Bulls? For now, the team and its supporters bid farewell to Billy Donovan, a coach whose professionalism, resilience, and class left an indelible mark—even if the results ultimately fell short of expectations.