Bill Donovan Sr., a Boston College basketball legend and the father of Chicago Bulls head coach Billy Donovan, passed away Saturday at the age of 85.
A native of Queens, New York, Donovan Sr. left an indelible mark on the hardwood long before his son became a household name in coaching circles. As captain of the Boston College basketball team, he was more than just a leader-he was a scorer.
By the time he graduated, he ranked third on the school's all-time scoring list, a testament to both his skill and consistency. In 2000, his achievements were formally recognized when he was inducted into the Boston College Hall of Fame.
But Bill Donovan Sr.'s legacy goes well beyond stats and accolades. He played a foundational role in shaping his son's basketball journey, starting in Rockville Centre, New York, where he introduced Billy to the game.
He wasn’t just a supportive parent-he was a hands-on coach, volunteering to lead his son's Catholic Youth Organization (CYO) teams from elementary through middle school. He even built a court in their backyard, laying the literal groundwork for what would become a lifelong passion and career for Billy.
That early influence carried through the years. Donovan Sr. was a constant presence during his son's rise through the coaching ranks, especially during Billy’s 19-year run at the University of Florida. Often seated just behind the bench, he witnessed firsthand one of the most dominant stretches in college basketball history, including Florida’s back-to-back NCAA championships in 2006 and 2007-the first repeat titles in men’s college hoops since the early '90s.
Rick Pitino, who coached Billy Donovan at Providence and later brought him on as an assistant at Kentucky, paid tribute to Donovan Sr. on social media, calling him “a special man in every sense of the word.”
Billy Donovan has often spoken about the energy and positivity his father brought into every room. “I’ve always said my dad has never had a bad day in his life,” he told ESPN back in 2006.
“He’s always happy, energetic and has enthusiasm. He’s got the vigor for life and always had a smile on his face.”
That spirit-infectious, unwavering, and deeply rooted in family and basketball-defined Bill Donovan Sr.'s life. And while the basketball world mourns his passing, his influence lives on through the generations he inspired, especially the one he raised.