Billy Donovan may leave Bulls after this season

Chicago Bulls head coach Billy Donovan may be coaching his final season with the team, at least based on a new claim.

There is “growing momentum” around the Bulls that Donovan may walk away from the job after the season, according to Joe Cowley of the Chicago Sun-Times. While Donovan is not done coaching, there is some thought that he might be ready to move on after failing to build a winner in his six seasons in Chicago.

Donovan may also take some time away from the job after both his father and mother-in-law died this past season.

While Donovan’s Bulls tenure has not gone smoothly, his own reputation has not suffered much. Chicago has gone 224-247 under Donovan’s leadership, but his rosters have largely been devoid of high-end talent. He is still thought of highly enough that he was at least considered by the New York Knicks for their coaching vacancy last summer, but was unwilling to leave the Bulls at that time.

Donovan has a 467-404 record as an NBA head coach and is still only 60. The Basketball Hall-of-Famer can also point to his 467-186 record at the college level, primarily with Florida, though there are no indications he is looking to return to that level.

The Bulls enter play Tuesday at 29-42 and are all but certain to miss the playoffs for a fifth consecutive season.