Bill Donovan, Father of Bulls Coach, Dies at 85

Donovan was a star player at Boston College and father of longtime Florida coach Billy Donovan.

Feb. 17, 2026 at 7:07am

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Bill Donovan, the father of Chicago Bulls coach Billy Donovan, has died at the age of 85. Donovan was a standout basketball player at Boston College, where he was inducted into the school's Hall of Fame, and later served as a first lieutenant in the U.S. Army. He was married to his high school sweetheart, Joan, for 63 years, and they had three children, including Billy Donovan, the longtime head coach of the Florida Gators men's basketball team.

Why it matters

Bill Donovan's basketball accomplishments and his role as the father of a successful NBA coach make his passing noteworthy in the sports world. His story highlights the intergenerational connections in basketball and the lasting impact that fathers can have on their children's careers.

The details

Bill Donovan was a native of Queens, New York, and captained the Boston College basketball team, graduating in 1962 as the school's third all-time leading scorer. After his playing career, he served as a first lieutenant in the U.S. Army. Donovan was married to his high school sweetheart, Joan, for 63 years, and they had three children, including Billy Donovan, the longtime head coach of the Florida Gators men's basketball team who is now the head coach of the Chicago Bulls.

  • Bill Donovan died on Saturday, February 15, 2026.

The players

Bill Donovan

Bill Donovan was a standout basketball player at Boston College, where he was inducted into the school's Hall of Fame. He later served as a first lieutenant in the U.S. Army and was married to his high school sweetheart, Joan, for 63 years.

Billy Donovan

Billy Donovan is the head coach of the Chicago Bulls and the son of Bill Donovan. He had a successful coaching career at the University of Florida, leading the Gators to two NCAA championships.

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The takeaway

Bill Donovan's life and career highlight the enduring impact that fathers can have on their children's lives and the lasting connections that can be forged through a shared passion for basketball.