The Bulls also fired vice president of basketball operations Arturas Karnisovas and general manager Marc Eversley after six years, clearing the way for a new GM to hire his own head coach and set a fresh direction for the organization.
Donovan’s exit comes as the Bulls missed the playoffs for a fourth straight year and underwent a midseason rebuild, trading several players at the trade deadline as the franchise shifted toward a broader organizational reset.
Under Donovan, the Bulls posted the eighth-worst net rating in the league, and the team struggled to land an offensive superstar, highlighting ongoing challenges with drafting and long-term contractual decisions that limited their competitive ceiling.
Donovan is expected to be a top coaching candidate around the NBA, with rumors of interest from other programs already swirling as he explores open head coaching opportunities.
The Bulls will begin their coaching search immediately after naming a new GM, as they aim to capitalize on the forthcoming rebuild. They also hold ninth-best odds to land the top pick in the 2026 NBA Draft, a factor that could accelerate their reshaping of the roster.
