Billy Donovan didn’t want to stick around for a new Bulls regime.
Donovan is exiting the franchise after six seasons and four straight years with a losing record and without a postseason appearance, according to ESPN.
His exit comes right after the team previously dismissing executive vice president of basketball operations Arturas Karnisovas and general manager Marc Eversley.
Chicago informed Donovan it wanted him to return for a seventh season, but he used the option in his contract to instead vacate the role after meeting with ownership last week, per ESPN.
He reportedly wanted to give the team a chance for a full fresh start.
The 60-year-old led the Bulls to a 226-256 record in his tenure with the team finishing below .500 in five of those season and only making the playoffs in the 2021-22 campaign.
He joined the Bulls after a five-year stretch with the Thunder from 2015-20 that included a postseason trip in each season.
Donovan jumped to the NBA after a long run with Florida that included two national titles, and he had been rumored to be a potential candidate for North Carolina’s vacancy.
The Tar Heels, though, hired another option with NBA ties in former Nuggets coach Mike Malone.
Donovan wants to continue coaching, per ESPN.
Check back later for more on this developing story…
