The Chicago Bulls are taking a very firm stance on coach Billy Donovan and his future with the organization.
Bulls CEO Michael Reinsdorf laid down something of an ultimatum for general manager candidates on Tuesday when discussing the organization’s future. He said the Bulls will keep Donovan as long as the coach wants to say, and went as far as to add that the organization would not even consider GM candidates that were not committed to keeping Donovan as coach.
Reinsdorf:If we're interviewing someone and they're not sold on Billy and a Hall of Fame coach and person who has won championships in college and gone deep in playoffs in OKC and, given teams he was given, achieved good results in Chicago, then they're not right candidate for us
— K.C. Johnson (@KCJHoop) April 7, 2026
Reinsdorf’s comments are particularly wild considering Donovan reportedly is not a lock to return next season.
As respected as Donovan is, this could limit the pool of GM candidates interested in the Chicago job. Some might want to pick their own coach, or at the very least, they would rather not have as firm a condition as that upon walking in the door. It could also raise questions as to just how much control a new GM would be given with the Bulls.
Donovan is wrapping up his sixth season as Chicago’s head coach. He is 224-254 overall with just one playoff appearance, but the Bulls clearly aren’t holding him chiefly responsible for that lack of success.
