Bulls Ownership Doubles Down on Billy Donovan Despite Coaching Search

Michael Reinsdorf's comments raise concerns about the team's ability to make an objective front office hire

Apr. 8, 2026 at 5:35am

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A cubist, geometric painting in red, black, and white, depicting a fragmented, multi-angled view of a basketball game or match, representing the complex dynamics within the Bulls' organization.The Bulls' insistence on retaining coach Billy Donovan could constrain the team's search for a new front office leader.Chicago Today

In a press conference addressing the firing of Arturas Karnisovas and Marc Eversley, Chicago Bulls President and CEO Michael Reinsdorf made it clear that the organization wants to retain head coach Billy Donovan, going so far as to say that any new front office hire must be 'sold on' keeping Donovan. This stance raises questions about the Bulls' ability to conduct an impartial search for a new leadership team.

Why it matters

The Bulls have struggled for much of the 21st century, making just two playoff appearances in nearly a decade. With the team in need of a major overhaul, Reinsdorf's insistence on retaining Donovan could limit the pool of qualified candidates for the open front office positions and prevent the new leadership from having full autonomy to shape the team's vision.

The details

Reinsdorf praised Donovan as a 'Hall of Fame coach' and said that if a new hire 'isn't interested in Billy and Billy wants to be our coach, and someone is not interested in that, then they're probably not the right candidate for us.' This stance suggests the Bulls are more interested in keeping Donovan than finding the best possible front office leader to guide the franchise's future.

  • On Tuesday, April 8, 2026, Michael Reinsdorf addressed the media after firing Arturas Karnisovas and Marc Eversley.

The players

Michael Reinsdorf

The President and CEO of the Chicago Bulls, who spoke to the media about the team's coaching and front office plans.

Billy Donovan

The current head coach of the Chicago Bulls, whom Reinsdorf praised highly and said the team wants to retain.

Arturas Karnisovas

The former Executive Vice President of Basketball Operations for the Chicago Bulls, who was fired by the team.

Marc Eversley

The former General Manager of the Chicago Bulls, who was also fired by the team.

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What they’re saying

“If we interview someone and they are not sold on Billy: They're not sold on a Hall of Fame head coach. They're not sold on a person who has won championships in college, who has gone deep in the playoffs with Oklahoma City, who I believe with the Chicago Bulls every year, given the team he was given, I think he achieved really good results.”

— Michael Reinsdorf, President and CEO, Chicago Bulls

What’s next

The Bulls will conduct a search for a new front office leader, but it remains to be seen how much autonomy that person will have in shaping the team's future, given Reinsdorf's strong endorsement of keeping Donovan as head coach.

The takeaway

Reinsdorf's comments raise concerns about the Bulls' ability to conduct an objective and open-minded search for a new front office leader. By insisting that any new hire must be 'sold on' retaining Donovan, the team risks limiting its options and preventing the new leadership from having the full authority to reshape the franchise as they see fit.