NBA Coaching Carousel Spins as Bulls Lose Donovan, Opening Path for College Coaches

Billy Donovan’s resignation creates a third NBA head‑coach vacancy, while college coaches Todd Golden and Dusty May face buyout terms that could pull them into the league.

The NBA’s coaching carousel is turning faster after Billy Donovan stepped down as head coach of the Chicago Bulls following six seasons. His departure joins existing openings with the Milwaukee Bucks and New Orleans Pelicans, giving teams three simultaneous searches.

Meanwhile, Golden State Warriors coach Steve Kerr told his players, “I don’t know what will happen next, but I love you guys to death,” fueling speculation about his own future as his contract expires in June.

Donovan’s exit ends a tenure that began in 2018 and produced a playoff appearance each year, though the Bulls never advanced past the first round. The franchise now must identify a replacement capable of developing a young roster that includes Zach LaVine and Coby White.

Kerr’s remarks came after the Warriors lost the play‑in game to the Phoenix Suns, a moment he used to hug longtime stars Stephen Curry and Draymond Green.

Key facts: Donovan resigned after six seasons with Chicago.

Kerr’s quote reflects uncertainty about his next move, with league sources split on whether he will return to Golden State.

Florida Gators head coach Todd Golden’s contract contains an $11 million buyout for leaving to another college job and a $2 million buyout for moving to an NBA position, a disparity that makes an NBA transition financially easier.

The Bulls will likely pursue a coach with NBA experience or a rising college star, balancing short‑term competitiveness with long‑term player development.

If Kerr departs, Golden State could target a coach familiar with the Bay Area; Golden’s local ties—he played at St. Mary’s, coached at San Francisco, and knows the Lacob family—make him a plausible candidate despite his $11 million college buyout.

For Florida, losing Golden would trigger a $11 million payout, prompting the Gators to weigh retaining him against potential NBA interest. Similarly, Michigan’s Dusty May, who just won a national title, holds a contract extension not yet signed; his Florida connections and a possible NBA jump could shift the college coaching market.

What to watch next: Kerr’s decision by June, Golden’s response to any Warriors overture, May’s contract finalization, and whether the Bulls, Bucks, or Pelicans fill their vacancies before the NBA draft.