Former Chicago Bulls head coach rumored to be front runner for this open job

Dec 17, 2025; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Bulls head coach Billy Donovan directs the team against the Cleveland Cavaliers during the second half at United Center. Mandatory Credit: Matt Marton-Imagn Images

Former Chicago Bulls head coach rumored to be front runner for this open job

Originally posted on ChiCitySports | By Zack Pearson | Last updated May 4, 2026 10:11 PM ET

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The Chicago Bulls are going in a whole new direction this offseason, ushering in the next rebuild. That direction includes moving on from front office members Arturas Karnisovas and Marc Eversley as well as head coach Billy Donovan.

While the Bulls were hoping to keep Donovan for the next regime, the head coach decided it was time to move on. That signaled that Donovan didn’t want to be a part of another rebuild and the team went in a different direction. But now, just a few weeks after that, he’s already being connected to other open jobs.

On Monday, the Orlando Magic fired Jamahl Mosley after blowing a series lead to the Detroit Pistons. Mosley was already in hot water and the blown lead cemented it for his fate.

Now, Orlando could make a move on Donovan and all indications are that he’s the front runner.

Will Billy Donovan head back to Florida to coach the Magic?

It didn’t take long for Donovan to be connected to the Magic, in fact it was mere minutes. Josh Robbins of The Athletic mentioned Donovan, citing league sources that he could be interested in the job:

League sources have speculated since late October that Taylor Jenkins, former Memphis Grizzlies coach, would be the preferred candidate to replace Mosley if the Magic coaching job opened, but the Milwaukee Bucks hired Jenkins in late April. In recent days, league sources have speculated that former University of Florida, Oklahoma City Thunder and Chicago Bulls coach Billy Donovan could emerge as a candidate for the Magic. Donovan famously accepted the Magic coaching job during the 2007 offseason, after he won back-to-back NCAA titles at Florida, then got cold feet and decided to return to college.

It makes sense. Donovan is one of the best, if not the best, available head coach in the NBA right now. He didn’t commit to North Carolina when the Tar Heels showed interest in him and instead waited it out. This could be the best job available for him as he would take over a young roster that has already been to the playoffs multiple years.

But it may not be that easy.

There’s a history between the two sides as Donovan famously accepted the job in 2007. However, he turned his back and opted to head back to the college game. Will the Magic remember that? Or will they let bygones be bygones?

We could find out soon.

This article first appeared on ChiCitySports and was syndicated with permission.

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