Billy Donovan sidesteps UNC talk, emphasizes Bulls’ stretch run
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Chicago Bulls head coach Billy Donovan on Wednesday addressed reports linking him to North Carolina’s vacant coaching job, saying his attention remains on finishing the NBA season with his current roster.
Speaking to reporters before the Bulls faced the 76ers in Philadelphia, the 58-year-old coach acknowledged the speculation but stopped short of ruling out interest in the Tar Heels’ position. “My main focus is on these guys and this new team,” Donovan said. “I understand that there’s stuff out there, and I understand that there is going to be certain speculation. But I have to concentrate on this group, and really, my focus is on what we’re doing here in Chicago.”
Multiple outlets have connected Donovan to North Carolina, while the Chicago Sun-Times recently reported he could consider stepping away after the season to take a year off. Donovan, who turns 61 in May, neither confirmed nor denied that possibility.
The Bulls are headed toward a fourth consecutive losing campaign and have not advanced beyond the play-in tournament since 2022. Donovan conceded the ongoing playoff drought has been “frustrating” and said he will meet this spring with executive vice president of basketball operations Artūras Karnišovas and ownership to discuss the franchise’s direction. “We’re pivoting right now,” he noted. “A lot of it’s going to be me sitting down with ownership, with Artūras, just to find out—OK, what’s the next step?”
One report indicated that if Donovan is not aligned with management’s long-term vision, both sides could consider parting ways. “I wanted to get into coaching to win,” Donovan said. “How are we going to work to get into a place where we’re really competing?”
Source: Hoops Wire
