Billy Donovan figured he was headed for a year away from the grind. Instead, he’s back on an NBA bench, joining Mitch Johnson’s staff with the San Antonio Spurs after his run with the Chicago Bulls ended.
Donovan explained the path from Chicago to San Antonio in an interview with Olivia Eisenhauer of WCJB TV20 News. He said he valued his time with the Bulls and appreciated the team’s ownership group, but he also believed a new front office should be allowed to make its own choices on the coaching side.
Billy Donovan on why joining the Spurs in July 2026 after stepping down as the head coach of the Chicago Bulls in April 2026 was the right time:
— Olivia Eisenhauer (@oeisenhauertv) August 31, 2026
"I just felt that with a new front office coming in that person should have the freedom to choose their own coach...I went in with the… pic.twitter.com/WSXp2ZY5f5
“I loved my time in Chicago. I loved the ownership group,” Donovan said. “They were very kind and offered me an opportunity to stay on as the coach, offered me an opportunity to even move into the front office.”
Still, Donovan felt the arrival of new leadership meant a clean slate.
“I just felt like, you know, with a new front office coming in, that person should have the freedom to choose their coach and build out the organization how they fit, which was fine,” he explained.
At first, Donovan expected to step away from basketball entirely. His plan was to spend time in Florida, see family, and enjoy a full year without the demands of the NBA.
The Spurs changed that during the playoffs. Donovan said there was some uncertainty about whether San Antonio might lose people from its coaching staff, and that opened the door to discussions about a possible role.
After talking with Johnson, Donovan decided the opportunity made sense. “I got a lot of respect for him,” Donovan said of the Spurs head coach. “I'm just hoping that in some way I can help and bring value.”
For Donovan, the move marks a different stage in a coaching career that has mostly been spent in charge. He has been a head coach since he was 28 years old, and along the way he’s leaned on plenty of other coaches for guidance.
Now, he sees this as a chance to pass that along. “Maybe, you know, this is a way to be able to give back,” Donovan said.
“I’m excited about it, looking forward to it. And hopefully, I can bring some value and help.”
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