The San Antonio Spurs have hired veteran coach Billy Donovan to serve as the team’s top assistant under head coach Mitch Johnson, according to ESPN’s Shams Charania and Pete Thamel.
Donovan, 60, joins San Antonio after stepping away from the Chicago Bulls following the 2025-26 season. He led the Bulls for six years and previously guided the Oklahoma City Thunder for five seasons, compiling an overall NBA coaching record of 469-413.
Widely regarded for player development, the Long Island native built his reputation at the University of Florida, where he spent 19 years, won back-to-back national championships and earned three SEC Coach of the Year honors before moving to the NBA in 2015.
In San Antonio, Donovan will help a Spurs club that came within three wins of an NBA title last season and is centered around rising stars Victor Wembanyama and Stephon Castle. His arrival fills the vacancy created when longtime assistant Sean Sweeney left earlier this offseason to become head coach of the Orlando Magic.
Donovan’s addition gives Johnson an experienced voice on the bench as the Spurs continue their push toward a championship with a youthful core.
Source: Hoops Wire
