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Chicago Bulls Pay Tribute to Bill Donovan, Father of Coach Billy Donovan
The Bulls organization mourns the passing of the longtime basketball figure and father of their head coach.
Feb. 19, 2026 at 1:55pm
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The Chicago Bulls released a statement on Tuesday expressing their condolences over the passing of Bill Donovan, the father of current Bulls head coach Billy Donovan. Bill Donovan, who was 85 years old, was a longtime figure in the basketball community and had a close relationship with the University of Florida program where his son previously coached.
Why it matters
Bill Donovan was deeply embedded in the basketball world, having played at Boston College and later becoming a coach at the high school and college levels. His passing is a significant loss for the Donovan family as well as the broader basketball community that he was a part of for decades.
The details
Bill Donovan passed away on February 14 at the age of 85 in Gainesville, Florida, where his son Billy Donovan spent much of his coaching career with the Florida Gators. Bill Donovan had a decorated playing career at Boston College and later served in the U.S. Army as a First Lieutenant. He is survived by his wife of 63 years, Joan, as well as their three children and eleven grandchildren.
- Bill Donovan passed away on February 14, 2026.
- The Chicago Bulls released a statement on his passing on February 17, 2026.
The players
Bill Donovan
The father of current Chicago Bulls head coach Billy Donovan, Bill Donovan was a longtime figure in the basketball community who played at Boston College and later coached at the high school and college levels.
Billy Donovan
The current head coach of the Chicago Bulls, Billy Donovan previously coached the University of Florida Gators men's basketball team where his father Bill was heavily involved.
Todd Golden
The current head coach of the University of Florida men's basketball team, Todd Golden paid tribute to Bill Donovan's legacy as a positive influence on those around him.
What they’re saying
“We are deeply saddened by the passing of Coach Donovan's father, Billy Donovan Sr., a special ma whose spirit, humility, and joy for life left a lasting impression on everyone who know him.”
— Chicago Bulls
“I like to classify people: You're either a fountain or you're a drain. This dude was a huge fountain, and he was always energetic and made everyone around him better and in a better mood. So it's a terrible loss. I believe we will honor him tomorrow night before the game, and we'll do everything we can to be there for Coach Donovan as he's going through it.”
— Todd Golden, University of Florida Head Coach
What’s next
The University of Florida plans to honor Bill Donovan with a moment of silence before their basketball game against South Carolina on Tuesday night. The Chicago Bulls are currently on their All-Star break and have not yet announced if Billy Donovan will miss any upcoming games to attend services for his father.
The takeaway
Bill Donovan's passing is a significant loss for the Donovan family and the broader basketball community that he was deeply involved in for decades. His positive energy and commitment to the sport left a lasting impression on those who knew him, including his son Billy who is now the head coach of the Chicago Bulls.
