The Bulls indicated Donovan’s departure aligns with giving the incoming Head of Basketball Operations the autonomy to build out the staff and chart a fresh path for the franchise, signaling a broader reorganization behind the bench and in the front office.
Among NBA openings, the New Orleans Pelicans are emerging as a leading candidate for Donovan. New Orleans began the season without Willie Green and used James Borrego as interim head coach for the remainder of 2025-26, creating a vacancy that Donovan has been connected to as part of the broader coaching market.
The Orlando Magic are also viewed as a potential destination for Donovan if they part ways with current head coach Jamahl Mosley following their postseason run, highlighting Donovan’s continued appeal as a top-tier candidate.
Donovan’s head coaching résumé spans Marshall University, a standout college run with the Florida Gators—where he led the program to four Final Fours and back-to-back national titles in 2006 and 2007—and two NBA stops before his Bulls tenure. In Oklahoma City, he guided the Thunder to five straight playoff appearances from 2015-2020, and in Chicago he posted a 226-256 record over six seasons, with a playoff appearance in 2022 and multiple Play-In berths.
As the Bulls begin the search for a new head coach, Donovan’s departure underscores a broader transition for a franchise looking to align its front office leadership with a clear basketball vision and the right coaching fit. He had been linked to other opportunities, including a high-profile college job, but chose to step away as the organizational changes take shape.
