Billy Donovan’s coaching career spans nearly three decades, two national championships, an NBA Coach of the Year award, and a 2025 induction into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. As of July 2026, the veteran coach has taken on a new role — lead assistant coach of the San Antonio Spurs — after stepping down as head coach of the Chicago Bulls earlier this year. Here’s a complete look at his journey through college basketball and the NBA.
Key Points Summary
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║ – Billy Donovan won back-to-back NCAA championships at Florida ║
║ in 2006 and 2007. ║
║ – He coached the Oklahoma City Thunder for five seasons (2015–20), ║
║ making the playoffs every year and winning Coach of the Year. ║
║ – Donovan spent six seasons (2020–2026) as head coach of the ║
║ Chicago Bulls, finishing 226-256. ║
║ – He was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of ║
║ Fame as a coach in 2025. ║
║ – In July 2026, Donovan joined the San Antonio Spurs as lead ║
║ assistant coach under head coach Mitch Johnson. ║
╚════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╝Early Life and Playing Career
William John Donovan Jr., born May 30, 1965, in Rockville Centre, New York, built his basketball foundation as a standout point guard at St. Agnes Cathedral High School before starring at Providence College under Rick Pitino. He led the Providence Friars to the 1987 Final Four, a run that helped shape his future as a coach.
The Florida Years: Building a Dynasty (1996–2015)
Donovan’s coaching career took off at the University of Florida, where he served as head coach for 19 seasons. During his tenure, he transformed the Gators into a national powerhouse, reaching the NCAA championship game three times and winning back-to-back titles in 2006 and 2007. He also earned SEC Coach of the Year honors in 2011, a recognition that had eluded him despite his championship success. Over nearly two decades in Gainesville, Donovan racked up hundreds of wins and established himself as one of the top college coaches of his generation.
Jump to the NBA: Oklahoma City Thunder (2015–2020)
In April 2015, Donovan made the leap to the NBA, taking over the Oklahoma City Thunder. His first season was a strong debut — the Thunder won their division and advanced to the Western Conference Finals, where they lost a hard-fought seven-game series to the Golden State Warriors after leading 3-1. Over his five years in Oklahoma City, Donovan’s teams never missed the playoffs, finishing with a combined record of 243-157. His standout 2019-20 season earned him the NBA Coach’s Association Coach of the Year award. Following discussions with the front office about the franchise’s future direction, Donovan and the Thunder mutually agreed to part ways.
Chicago Bulls Era (2020–2026)
The Chicago Bulls hired Donovan in September 2020 on a four-year, $24 million deal, and he later signed a contract extension in July 2025. Over six seasons in Chicago, Donovan’s Bulls went 226-256, ranking his win total fourth-most in franchise history. However, the team made the playoffs outright only once, with three appearances in the play-in tournament (2023, 2024, 2025) and just a single winning season (46-36 in 2021-22).
Following a 31-51 finish in the 2025-26 season and a front-office shakeup that saw the Bulls fire executive vice president Arturas Karnisovas and general manager Marc Eversley, Donovan chose to step away from his head coaching role. He announced his departure on April 21, 2026, explaining that he wanted to give incoming basketball operations leadership the freedom to build their own staff. Bulls ownership, including chairman Michael Reinsdorf, publicly praised Donovan’s character and coaching legacy, noting he had been offered a role in Chicago for as long as he wanted.
Hall of Fame Recognition
In 2025, Donovan’s contributions to the game were formally recognized when he was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame as a coach — a career milestone that cemented his standing among the sport’s most respected leaders, spanning both the college and professional ranks.
Next Chapter: San Antonio Spurs (2026–Present)
Donovan didn’t stay away from the sidelines for long. In July 2026, the San Antonio Spurs added him to their coaching staff as “lead assistant coach” under head coach Mitch Johnson. The move comes after the Spurs’ run to the 2026 NBA Finals, where they fell to the New York Knicks in five games. At 60 years old and with 11 seasons of NBA head-coaching experience, Donovan brings a wealth of championship pedigree and player-development expertise to San Antonio’s staff as the franchise looks to build on its Finals appearance.
USA Basketball Involvement
Beyond his club and college duties, Donovan has represented USA Basketball as a head coach on multiple occasions. He led the 2012 U18 team to a perfect 5-0 record and a FIBA Americas Under-18 Championship title, then guided many of the same players to a 9-0 finish and gold at the 2013 FIBA Under-19 World Championship.
Billy Donovan Coaching Career: Quick Stats Overview
| Stop | Years | Record | Highlights |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Florida | 1996–2015 | 19 seasons | 2 NCAA titles (2006, 2007), 2011 SEC Coach of the Year |
| Oklahoma City Thunder | 2015–2020 | 243-157 | 2016 Conference Finals, 2020 Coach of the Year |
| Chicago Bulls | 2020–2026 | 226-256 | One winning season, three play-in appearances |
| San Antonio Spurs | 2026–present | Assistant coach | Lead assistant under Mitch Johnson |
What’s Next for Billy Donovan?
While Donovan has stepped back from a head-coaching role for now, reports indicate he remains a sought-after name in coaching circles — he reportedly drew interest from the New York Knicks and the University of North Carolina while still under contract with the Bulls. His move to San Antonio positions him to stay closely involved in a Finals-caliber program while potentially eyeing future head-coaching opportunities.
Got thoughts on Billy Donovan’s coaching journey and his next move with the Spurs? Drop a comment below and stay tuned for more updates on his coaching career!