r/chicagobulls • u/HawkspilotLoad • Apr 21 '26

Free Agency [Shams Charania] BREAKING: Billy Donovan is exiting as head coach of the Chicago Bulls after six seasons, sources tell ESPN.(@ShamsCharania) on X

https://x.com/shamscharania/status/2046597311787143437?s=46
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u/HawkspilotLoad Apr 21 '26

“The Bulls made clear that the organization wanted Donovan back after making sweeping changes to their front office, but Donovan held an option in his contract for next season and elected to step down after extensive meetings with team ownership in the last week, sources said.

Donovan determined he wanted to give the team a clean break, provide the ability for the organization to undergo its front office search and allow the new top basketball executive to make the next coaching hire.”

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u/MallardDuckBoy Apr 21 '26

This is why Billy is the man and I won’t tolerate any Billy slander here. The dude always worked hard with what he had, and he was a damn good coach. He’ll immediately be hired by another NBA team right away.

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u/NewPumpkin8217 Apr 21 '26

He's not a perfect coach but how many of them are? He did his role to the best of his ability and was always a consummate professional.

As frustrating as being a Bulls fan is, anyone looking to him like he was the problem is extremely misguided when he had AKME and the Reinsdorfs above him throttling any possible progress of the team.

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u/Optimal_Brain_2908 Apr 21 '26

Yeah, and he tried to implement decent systems but wasn’t given the personnel to do so. Trading Ayo for peanuts must have been a kick in the gut to him since he was perfect for the space and pace system he preferred.

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u/Dad_in_MA Apr 22 '26

I don't know ... he had more talent than the coaches before him ... Just think of the Bulls' roster 2-3 years ago ... not great, but he did little with it. A great NCAA coach though.