Bulls' Billy Donovan in Limbo After Eventful Monday

Donovan's future with the team is uncertain after the firing of his boss and the loss of a potential college coaching job.

Apr. 7, 2026 at 2:51am

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A cubist-style painting featuring overlapping geometric shapes and planes in vibrant colors, conceptually representing the uncertainty and upheaval surrounding the Chicago Bulls' coaching situation.A fractured, cubist illustration captures the uncertainty surrounding Bulls coach Billy Donovan's future after a tumultuous day in Chicago.Oakland Today

Two major events on Monday have left Chicago Bulls head coach Billy Donovan in a precarious position. The Bulls fired executive vice president Arturas Karnisovas, who hired Donovan, and the University of North Carolina hired Michael Malone as their new head coach, eliminating a potential landing spot for Donovan. While the Bulls reportedly still want to retain Donovan, the 60-year-old coach may not be interested in leading a rebuild, and the team's new leadership may want to choose their own head coach.

Why it matters

Donovan's future with the Bulls is uncertain, as he may not want to be part of a rebuild, and the team's new leadership may want to choose their own head coach. This could leave Donovan without a clear path forward, as he was also a leading candidate for the North Carolina job, which is now filled.

The details

The Bulls fired executive vice president Arturas Karnisovas on Monday, the same day the University of North Carolina hired Michael Malone as their new head coach. Donovan, who won two national titles with the University of Florida, was a leading candidate for the North Carolina job and had hoped to engage with the Tar Heels after the season ended. However, with Malone now in place, Donovan no longer has that potential landing spot. Meanwhile, the Bulls still want to retain Donovan as their head coach, but he may not be interested in leading a rebuild, and the team's new leadership may want to choose their own head coach.

  • On Monday, April 7, 2026, the Chicago Bulls fired executive vice president Arturas Karnisovas.
  • On Monday, April 7, 2026, the University of North Carolina hired Michael Malone as their new head coach.

The players

Billy Donovan

The current head coach of the Chicago Bulls, who has spent six seasons with the team and won two national titles with the University of Florida.

Arturas Karnisovas

The former executive vice president of the Chicago Bulls, who hired Donovan as the team's head coach.

Michael Malone

The new head coach of the University of North Carolina, who was hired on Monday, April 7, 2026.

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What they’re saying

“The Bulls still want to retain Donovan as their head coach.”

— Marc Stein, Sportswriter

What’s next

The Bulls have 12 weeks until the start of free agency to determine Donovan's future with the team. They will need to decide if they want to keep Donovan as their head coach, even with a new leadership in place, or if they will allow him to pursue other opportunities.

The takeaway

This situation highlights the uncertainty that can arise when a team's leadership changes, as Donovan's future with the Bulls is now in limbo. It remains to be seen if the Bulls will commit to Donovan or if he will seek a new challenge elsewhere, either in the NBA or potentially at the college level.