Chicago Bulls Seek New Leadership Amid Coaching Uncertainty

Reinsdorf emphasizes desire to retain head coach Billy Donovan despite front office shakeup.

Apr. 13, 2026 at 1:31pm

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The Chicago Bulls are undergoing a major front office shakeup, with CEO Michael Reinsdorf dismissing VP of basketball operations Arturas Karnisovas and GM Marc Eversley from their positions. However, Reinsdorf has made it clear that any candidates for the executive roles must be willing to keep current head coach Billy Donovan in place, indicating the team's desire to retain Donovan despite the leadership changes.

Why it matters

The Bulls' decision to part ways with Karnisovas and Eversley suggests a shift in the team's strategic direction, and Reinsdorf's insistence on retaining Donovan as head coach signals that the organization values continuity and stability on the sidelines. This move could impact the team's ability to attract top executive talent and may foreshadow further changes to the Bulls' basketball operations.

The details

A day after the front office changes, Reinsdorf emphasized that candidates for the vacant executive positions must be willing to keep Donovan as the team's head coach. Donovan has been the Bulls' head coach since 2020 and has led the team to a 106-98 record over the past three seasons, including a playoff appearance in 2022.

  • The front office changes were announced on April 12, 2026.
  • Reinsdorf's comments about retaining Donovan as head coach came the day after the dismissals, on April 13, 2026.

The players

Michael Reinsdorf

The CEO of the Chicago Bulls, who dismissed the team's VP of basketball operations and GM.

Billy Donovan

The current head coach of the Chicago Bulls, who Reinsdorf has emphasized the team wants to retain.

Arturas Karnisovas

The former VP of basketball operations for the Chicago Bulls, who was dismissed from his position.

Marc Eversley

The former GM of the Chicago Bulls, who was dismissed from his position alongside Karnisovas.

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What they’re saying

“Candidates for executive positions who are not willing to keep Donovan as coach are unlikely to fit in.”

— Michael Reinsdorf, CEO, Chicago Bulls

What’s next

The Bulls will now begin their search for new executive leadership, with the requirement that any candidates must be willing to retain head coach Billy Donovan.

The takeaway

The Bulls' front office shakeup and Reinsdorf's insistence on keeping Donovan as head coach suggest the team is prioritizing stability and continuity, even as they seek new strategic direction from their basketball operations leadership.