Chicago Bulls coach Billy Donovan discussed his future with the team as they approach the end of the 2025-26 season, emphasizing the need for talks with ownership about next steps. He did not rule out interest in the North Carolina job but focused on building a competitive roster. The Bulls, at 29-43, are in rebuild mode after recent trades.
Billy Donovan is nearing the conclusion of his sixth season leading the Chicago Bulls, a tenure marked by just one playoff victory. The team has missed the playoffs proper, falling in the Play-In Tournament over the prior three years, and sits at 29-43 this season, likely finishing 11th or 12th in the Eastern Conference with around 30 wins. Recent deadline moves signal a shift toward rebuilding, which could extend without lottery luck. Donovan addressed speculation about his future on Wednesday in Philadelphia. Recent reports from the Chicago Sun-Times suggested he might step away to reevaluate his career. He told reporters he plans end-of-season discussions with ownership and executive Artūras Karnišovas to chart the path forward. > When I got into coaching, I never did it for the money, and I never really did it for notoriety. I love the game, I loved competing... Selfishly, competitively, I want us to be in that situation where we're playing in real legitimate [playoff games]. Donovan stressed aligning on direction to escape the middling East standings. > Whatever words you want to use, we're pivoting right now, so a lot of it is going to be me sitting down with ownership, with Arturas, to find out, 'OK, what's the next step?' The two-time national champion from Florida (2006, 2007) did not deny interest in North Carolina's vacancy, stating his main focus remains the Bulls. He has previously affirmed openness to rebuilds, citing his Florida start after losing seasons and clarifying past Oklahoma City Thunder departure narratives. In February 2025, after trading Zach LaVine, he noted, > I think there was maybe a lot of things said or put out there publicly that I had no interest in a rebuild. That's not true. Chicago has gone 5-18 since early February, prompting questions as Donovan nears 61.
