Chicago Bulls head coach Billy Donovan is stepping down after six seasons at the helm, the team announced Tuesday.
"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," Donovan said in a statement.
"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."
The Bulls fired vice president of basketball operations Arturas Karnisovas and general manager Marc Eversley in early April. The following day, CEO Michael Reinsdorf said he wanted to keep Donovan on as head coach.
"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," Reinsdorf said Tuesday. "Together, we mutually agreed that giving that person the freedom to shape the organization was the best approach for everyone involved."
Donovan posted a 226-256 record with the Bulls, leading the franchise to one playoff appearance - a first-round loss to the Milwaukee Bucks in 2022. The Bulls finished 12th in the Eastern Conference with a 31-51 record in 2025-26.
Chicago has reportedly cast a wide net in its executive search, securing permission to speak with Minnesota Timberwolves general manager Matt Lloyd, Detroit Pistons senior vice president of basketball operations Dennis Lindsey, Atlanta Hawks senior vice president of basketball operations Bryson Graham, Cleveland Cavaliers assistant general manager Mike Gansey, and San Antonio Spurs assistant general manager Dave Telep, among others.
The Bulls haven't won a playoff series since 2015.
