Donovan Steps Aside as Bulls Overhaul Front Office After 31‑51 Season

TL;DR Billy Donovan quit as Chicago Bulls head coach to allow a leadership search, coinciding with the dismissal of president of basketball operations Arturas Karnisovas and general manager Marc Eversley after a 31‑51 season that left the team 12th in the Eastern Conference.

Context The Bulls concluded the 2025‑26 NBA campaign with 31 wins and 51 losses, failing to reach the Play‑In Tournament for the second straight year. Ownership had expressed interest in retaining Donovan, who had led Chicago for six seasons and previously coached the Oklahoma City Thunder. Despite that interest, Donovan chose to step aside to let the organization pursue a new direction.

Key Facts - Donovan announced his resignation, stating he wants to let the search for new leadership unfold. - The Bulls finished 12th in the East with a 31‑51 record, missing the Play‑In. - Earlier in the month, Chicago fired Karnisovas and Eversley, signaling a front‑office overhaul.

What It Means The simultaneous departures mark a full reset of Chicago’s basketball operations, opening vacancies for both a head of basketball operations and a head coach. Donovan’s exit removes a veteran voice from the bench, while the front‑office shake‑up suggests ownership is willing to make sweeping changes to improve performance. The franchise will now seek candidates who can reshape roster construction and coaching philosophy.

Watch for the Bulls’ hiring process over the next several weeks, particularly who they select to lead the basketball operations department and whether they pursue an experienced NBA coach or a rising assistant to replace Donovan.