Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Billy Donovan

How Billy Donovan built a successful career. Explore key moments that defined the journey.

Billy Donovan is an American professional basketball coach, currently leading the Chicago Bulls in the NBA. He's renowned for his successful tenure as head coach at the University of Florida from 1996 to 2015. Donovan guided the Florida Gators to consecutive NCAA championships in 2006 and 2007, and also reached the championship game in 2000. Acknowledging his achievements, he was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame as a coach in 2025.

Sections (4)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition

1985: Rick Pitino Becomes Coach

In 1985, Rick Pitino replaced Mullaney as coach, leading to introductory meetings with players, including Donovan.

December 1987: Signed with the New York Knicks

In December 1987, Billy Donovan signed a one-year contract with the New York Knicks, reuniting him with his college coach Rick Pitino.

1987: Starting Point Guard and Final Four

In 1987, Billy Donovan became the Friars' starting point guard, averaged 15.1 points per game, was nicknamed "Billy the Kid", and led the team to the Final Four.

1987: Final Four Appearance as a Player

In 1987, Billy Donovan, as the starting point guard for Rick Pitino's Providence College squad, led the Friars to the Final Four.

March 1988: Waived by the Knicks

In March 1988, Billy Donovan was waived by the New York Knicks.

1988: Playing for the New York Knicks

In 1988, Billy Donovan split his basketball season between the Continental Basketball Association and the NBA's New York Knicks.

January 1989: Leaves CBA, Joins Investment Firm

In January 1989, Billy Donovan left the CBA and took a job with a Wall Street investment banking firm, marking a transition away from professional basketball.

April 1989: Reaffirms Interest in Coaching

In April 1989, Billy Donovan reaffirmed his interest in coaching basketball to Rick Pitino, leading to an opportunity at the University of Kentucky.

1989: Wall Street Stock Broker

In 1989, Billy Donovan ended his professional basketball career and briefly worked as a Wall Street stock broker before transitioning into coaching.

1990: Promoted to Assistant Coach

In 1990, Billy Donovan was promoted to assistant coach at the University of Kentucky after serving as a graduate assistant.

1992: Promoted to Associate Head Coach

In 1992, Billy Donovan was promoted to associate head coach at the University of Kentucky.

1993: Kentucky's Final Four Run

In 1993, Billy Donovan served as Rick Pitino's top assistant during Kentucky's Final Four run.

1993: Assistant Coach at Kentucky

In 1993, Billy Donovan worked as a top assistant coach and lead recruiter at the University of Kentucky under Rick Pitino.

1993: Head Basketball Coach Offer at Marshall University

In 1993, Billy Donovan's association with Kentucky's success and Rick Pitino's recommendation led to an offer to become the head basketball coach at Marshall University.

1994: Head Coaching Position at Marshall University

In 1994, Billy Donovan accepted his first head coaching position at Marshall University.

March 1996: Hired as Coach

In March 1996, Billy Donovan was hired as basketball coach at the University of Florida, replacing Lon Kruger.

1996: SEC Titles

From 1996 until 2007, the Gators won three SEC regular season titles and three SEC tournament titles.

1996: Arrived at University of Florida

In 1996, Billy Donovan arrived at the University of Florida. He became instrumental in fund-raising and pushing for the development of a Catholic high school in Gainesville.

1996: Head Coach at the University of Florida

In 1996, Billy Donovan became the head basketball coach at the University of Florida.

1996: Helped Recruit Championship Team

In 1996, Billy Donovan helped to recruit the members of the University of Kentucky's national championship team.

1996: Hired to revive Florida's basketball program

In 1996, Billy Donovan was hired to revive Florida's basketball program, marking a significant career milestone.

1998: Signs of success

During the 1998-99 season signs of future success emerge.

1999: NCAA Tournament Invitations

Beginning in 1999, the Florida Gators were invited to the NCAA Tournament every season, a streak of nine straight appearances.

2000: Daughter Jacqueline was stillborn

In 2000, Billy Donovan's daughter, Jacqueline, was delivered stillborn, leading to his involvement in children's charities and fundraising for a children's hospital in Gainesville.

2001: NCAA Tournament Underperformance

In 2001, Billy Donovan's Florida squads began a pattern of underperforming in the NCAA tournament, losing to lower-seeded teams in the early rounds despite having highly recruited players.

2004: St. Francis High School opened

In 2004, St. Francis High School opened in Gainesville, following Billy Donovan's fundraising and advocacy efforts.

2005: Continued NCAA Tournament Struggles

In 2005, Billy Donovan's Florida squads continued underperforming in the NCAA tournament, losing to lower-seeded teams in the early rounds, prompting speculation about his coaching abilities.

2005: Gators' Win Streak

In 2005, Billy Donovan's sophomore-led Gator squad achieved the school's best-ever win streak to start a season, reeling off 17 straight wins.

December 20, 2006: Winningest Coach in Florida History

On December 20, 2006, Billy Donovan became the winningest basketball coach in Florida history, surpassing Norm Sloan's total with his 236th win.

2006: Florida Opportunity Scholars Program created

In 2006, the Florida Opportunity Scholars Program was created by University of Florida President Bernie Machen to support first-generation students.

2006: Losses and Second Place in SEC Eastern Division

In 2006, the team failed to reach the top spot, losing their first SEC game to the Tennessee Volunteers, followed by a season sweep by the South Carolina Gamecocks. Florida posted a 10–6 conference record, placing them second in the SEC Eastern Division.

June 1, 2007: Acceptance of Orlando Magic Coaching Job

On June 1, 2007, Billy Donovan agreed to accept the Orlando Magic's contract offer to become their head coach, reportedly worth $27.5 million over five years, replacing Brian Hill.

June 6, 2007: Release from Orlando Magic Contract

On June 6, 2007, Billy Donovan reached an agreement with the Orlando Magic to be released from his contract, allowing him to return as the head coach of the Florida Gators basketball team, after having second thoughts about leaving Florida. As a condition of his release, he agreed not to coach in the NBA for the following five seasons.

June 2007: Acceptance and Rejection of Orlando Magic Coaching Job

In June 2007, Billy Donovan initially accepted the head coach position for the NBA's Orlando Magic but changed his mind and returned to the University of Florida a week later.

2007: Repeat NCAA Championship

In 2007, Billy Donovan's Florida Gators secured their repeat championship with an 84–75 victory over the Ohio State Buckeyes, making the University of Florida the first school in NCAA history to hold both the football and basketball national championships simultaneously, as the Florida Gators football team had won the 2007 BCS National Championship Game.

2007: End of Dominant Era

In 2007, Donovan's first decade at Gainesville brought unprecedented success to the University of Florida's basketball program, including nine straight NCAA Tournament appearances, three national championship games, and two NCAA titles.

2007: Top-Ranked Recruiting Class

In 2007, after announcing his return to Gainesville, Billy Donovan signed the top-ranked recruiting class, as rated by Rivals.com.

2007: SEC Regular Season and Tournament Champions

In 2007, the Gators rebounded from a slump, won their sixth consecutive game against the Kentucky Wildcats, claimed the SEC regular season championship, and repeated as SEC Tournament champions with a win over the Arkansas Razorbacks.

October 2008: Named co-chairman for Florida Opportunity Scholars Program fundraising

In October 2008, Billy Donovan and Urban Meyer were named co-chairmen of an effort to raise $50 million to support the Florida Opportunity Scholars Program.

2008: St. Francis High School expanded

In 2008, St. Francis High School expanded with significant help from Billy Donovan, and his children attended the school.

2008: NIT Semifinals

In 2008, despite losing all five starters, Donovan led the Gators to their tenth straight twenty-win season, reaching the semifinals of the National Invitation Tournament (NIT).

2008: Gators Ranked No. 19

In 2008, the Gators started out the season ranked No. 19 and 5–0 before falling to Syracuse.

2009: Legends Classic Tournament Win

In 2009, Florida returned to the NCAA tournament during the 2009–10 season, but lost in the first round. They also defeated Michigan State, a preseason favorite to win the NCAA tournament and an eventual Final Four team, en route to winning the 2009 Legends Classic tournament.

2009: NIT Quarterfinals

In 2009, the Gators, despite winning twenty-two regular season games, did not earn a bid to the NCAA tournament but were given a number one seed in the NIT, where they lost to the Penn State Nittany Lions in the quarterfinals.

2010: Improved Record

In 2010, the Florida Gators posted an improved record with three returning senior starters.

March 8, 2011: SEC Coach of the Year

On March 8, 2011, Billy Donovan was named the 2011 SEC Coach of the Year, his first time winning the award despite previous national titles. Chandler Parsons also became the first Gator to ever win SEC Player of the Year honors.

2011: Elite Eight Appearance

In 2011, the Gators were invited to the NCAA Tournament, advanced to the Sweet Sixteen, and returned to the Elite Eight for the second straight year.

2011: SEC Regular Season Title

In 2011, the Gators won the SEC regular season title and were the runners-up in the 2011 SEC Tournament. They also defeated the Jimmer Fredette-led BYU Cougars in the 2011 NCAA Tournament, before losing in overtime to the Butler Bulldogs in the Elite Eight.

2012: Coached U18 team to FIBA Americas Championship

In 2012, Billy Donovan coached the USA U18 team to an undefeated 5-0 record in the 2012 FIBA Americas Under-18 Championship, securing the tournament title.

January 19, 2013: 400th Career Victory at Florida

On January 19, 2013, Billy Donovan recorded his 400th career victory at the University of Florida with an 83–52 win over the Missouri Tigers.

2013: Led team to FIBA Under-19 World Championship

In 2013, Billy Donovan coached the same group of players to an undefeated 9-0 record at the 2013 FIBA Under-19 World Championship, winning the tournament.

2013: SEC Championship

In 2013, The Gators won the 2013 SEC regular season championship.

2014: Coached US team to FIBA Americas Championship

In 2014, Billy Donovan coached the US team at the 2014 FIBA Americas Under-18 Championship, leading them to another tournament championship with a 5-0 record.

2014: Undefeated SEC Record and Tournament Win

In 2014, Billy Donovan's squad became the first team in SEC history to finish with an 18–0 conference record and won the 2014 SEC men's basketball tournament.

2014: Final Four Appearance

In 2014, the Gators earned the number one overall seed in the NCAA tournament and reached the Final Four, but their season ended with a national semifinal loss to UConn.

February 28, 2015: 500th Career Win

On February 28, 2015, Billy Donovan became the second youngest coach in NCAA Division I history to earn 500 career wins, in a victory over the Tennessee Volunteers. However, the Gator squad finished the season with a losing record.

April 2015: Accepts job with Oklahoma City Thunder

In April 2015, Billy Donovan accepted a coaching position with the NBA's Oklahoma City Thunder.

April 30, 2015: Named Head Coach of Oklahoma City Thunder

On April 30, 2015, Billy Donovan was named the head coach of the Oklahoma City Thunder, agreeing to a five-year deal worth nearly $30 million, replacing Scott Brooks.

2015: Return to the NBA

In 2015, Billy Donovan returned to the NBA after coaching at Florida for several years.

2015: End of Florida Coaching Tenure

In 2015, Billy Donovan's tenure as the head basketball coach at the University of Florida concluded.

September 8, 2020: Departure from Oklahoma City Thunder

On September 8, 2020, it was announced that Billy Donovan would not be returning to the Oklahoma City Thunder after both parties failed to agree on a contract extension. During his five seasons, Donovan's record was 243–157, with postseason appearances each year.

September 2020: Accepts Job with Chicago Bulls

In September 2020, after leaving the Oklahoma City Thunder, Billy Donovan accepted a job to coach the Chicago Bulls.

September 22, 2020: Hired as Head Coach of Chicago Bulls

On September 22, 2020, the Chicago Bulls hired Billy Donovan as their new head coach with a four-year deal worth a reported $24 million.

2020: Speculation about coaching the US Olympic team

In 2020, some commentators suggested that Billy Donovan should have succeeded Mike Krzyzewski as the head coach of the United States men's national basketball team at the 2020 Summer Olympics.