The Chicago Bulls have decided to trade their veteran players this season and are acknowledging the need for a rebuild. Now, a significant college coaching opportunity may push them to make more essential changes.
North Carolina has fired head coach Hubert Davis following two consecutive first-round exits in March Madness. To find a replacement, the Tar Heels are interested in Bulls coach Billy Donovan, who is reportedly open to considering the job.
Billy Donovan’s Success in College Compared to the NBA
Billy Donovan became the Bulls’ head coach in 2020, after five seasons with the Oklahoma City Thunder, where he reached the Western Conference Finals in 2016 and was named Coach of the Year for the 2019-20 season. During his six seasons with the Bulls, he achieved a record of 46-36 and led the team to the playoffs in 2021-22 but fell short in the play-in tournament in the following three years.
In college, Donovan was very successful, winning national championships in 2006 and 2007 with the Florida Gators. He made 14 NCAA Tournament appearances in 18 seasons at Florida, with the program making only five appearances before his arrival. He also secured six SEC titles and four SEC tournament victories while reaching four Final Fours.
Despite his extensive 32 years of coaching experience at both the college and professional levels, Donovan is just 60 years old. He may not want to stay through what appears to be a lengthy rebuilding process in Chicago. He initially joined the Bulls after parting ways with the Thunder when they opted to dismantle their roster, trading away four veteran starters, including Chris Paul.
Losing Billy Donovan Might Benefit Both Teams Financially
Donovan signed a long-term extension with the Bulls last summer, signaling Chicago’s commitment to a period of average performance. Although the team traded some veterans like Alex Caruso and Zach LaVine, they did not acquire any additional first-round picks in these trades.
This situation provides the Bulls with an opportunity to exit Donovan’s substantial contract and seek a coach focused on developing younger talent. For North Carolina, hiring an NBA coach could help them avoid the high cost of securing a well-known college coach.