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 the head coach of the Chicago Bulls in the NBA. He is renowned for his successful tenure as the head basketball coach at the University of Florida from 1996 to 2015. During his time with the Florida Gators, Donovan led the team to back-to-back NCAA championships in 2006 and 2007, and also guided them to an NCAA championship appearance in 2000, solidifying his reputation as a highly accomplished coach.
2 days ago : Billy Donovan Joins Naismith Hall of Fame Class of 2025: A Career Milestone
Billy Donovan was named to the 2025 Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame class. This marked a significant career milestone, recognizing his contributions to basketball. Maya Moore and Sue Bird may also be inducted.
1985: Mullaney Retired, Rick Pitino Replaced Him
In 1985, Mullaney retired and was replaced by Rick Pitino as coach of the New York Knicks.
December 1987: Signed with New York Knicks
In December 1987, Billy Donovan was reunited with his college coach Rick Pitino when the New York Knicks signed him to a one-year contract.
1987: Led Friars to Final Four
In 1987, Billy Donovan led the Providence College Friars to the NCAA Final Four as their starting point guard.
March 1988: Waived by the Knicks
In March 1988, the Knicks waived Billy Donovan.
1988: No NBA Offer
By the end of 1988, Billy Donovan had not received another NBA offer.
1988: Played for New York Knicks
In 1988, Billy Donovan played for the New York Knicks of the NBA.
January 1989: Left CBA for Wall Street
In January 1989, Billy Donovan left the CBA and took a job with a Wall Street investment banking firm.
April 1989: Agreed to Join Kentucky as Graduate Assistant
In April 1989, Rick Pitino agreed to bring Billy Donovan along as a graduate assistant at the University of Kentucky.
1989: Ended Basketball Career and Worked as Stock Broker
In 1989, Billy Donovan ended his professional basketball career and briefly worked as a Wall Street stock broker.
1990: Promoted to Assistant Coach
In 1990, Billy Donovan was promoted to assistant coach at the University of Kentucky.
1992: Promoted to Associate Head Coach
In 1992, Billy Donovan was promoted to associate head coach at the University of Kentucky.
1993: Assistant Coach at Kentucky
From 1989 to 1993, Billy Donovan worked as assistant coach for the Kentucky Wildcats men's basketball team.
1993: Kentucky's Final Four Run
In 1993, Billy Donovan served as Pitino's top assistant during Kentucky's Final Four run.
1994: Head Coaching Position at Marshall University
In 1994, Billy Donovan accepted his first head coaching position at Marshall University.
March 1996: Hired by University of Florida
In March 1996, Billy Donovan was hired by University of Florida as Head basketball Coach.
1996: SEC Regular Season Titles
From 1996 until 2007, the Gators won three SEC regular season titles and three SEC tournament titles.
1996: Head Coach at University of Florida
In 1996, Billy Donovan became the head basketball coach at the University of Florida.
1996: Helped Recruit Kentucky's Championship Team
In 1996, Billy Donovan helped to recruit the members of UK's national championship team.
1996: Hired to Revive Florida Basketball Program
In 1996, Billy Donovan was hired to revive the basketball program at the University of Florida.
1996: Arrival at University of Florida and Catholic high school development
In 1996, when Donovan arrived at the University of Florida, he became involved in fundraising and advocating for the development of a Catholic high school in Gainesville.
1998: Lasting Success
In the 1998-99 season, Billy Donovan brought lasting success to the Florida basketball program.
1999: NCAA Tournament Invitation
Between 1999 and 2007, the Gators were invited to the NCAA Tournament every season, reaching three national championship games and winning two NCAA titles.
1999: SEC Championship
In the 1999-2000 season, Billy Donovan led the Florida Gators to their first regular season SEC Championship.
2000: NCAA Championship Appearance
In 2000, Billy Donovan led the Florida Gators to an appearance in the NCAA championship game.
2000: Stillborn birth of daughter Jacqueline
In 2000, the Donovans' fifth child, Jacqueline, was delivered stillborn, leading Donovan to become involved in children's charities and fundraising for a children's hospital in Gainesville.
2000: First NCAA Final Four Appearance
In the 1999-2000 season, Billy Donovan led the Gators to their first NCAA final Four appearance, defeating North Carolina in the national semi-finals before falling to Michigan State in the NCAA championship game.
2001: Underperformed in NCAA Tournament
From 2001 to 2005, Donovan's Florida squads underperformed in the NCAA tournament.
2004: Opening of St. Francis High School
In 2004, St. Francis High School opened in Gainesville, thanks in part to Donovan's fundraising efforts after he arrived at the University of Florida in 1996. His children later attended the school.
2005: Underperformed in NCAA Tournament
From 2001 to 2005, Donovan's Florida squads underperformed in the NCAA tournament.
December 20, 2006: Winningest Coach in Florida History
On December 20, 2006, Billy Donovan became the winningest basketball coach in Florida history after earning his 236th win, surpassing Norm Sloan's record.
2006: NCAA Championship
In 2006, Billy Donovan led the Florida Gators to an NCAA championship.
2006: Florida Opportunity Scholars Program created
In 2006, University of Florida President Bernie Machen created the Florida Opportunity Scholars Program to provide opportunities for first-generation students. In October 2008 Donovan became co-chair of an effort to raise $50 million to support the program.
June 1, 2007: Acceptance of Orlando Magic Coaching Job
On June 1, 2007, the NBA's Orlando Magic offered Billy Donovan their head coaching job. Donovan agreed to accept the offer, worth $27.5 million over five years.
June 6, 2007: Release From Orlando Magic Contract
On June 6, 2007, after having second thoughts, the Magic reached an agreement with Billy Donovan releasing him from his contract, leaving him free to return as the head coach of the Florida Gators basketball team. As a stipulation of his release, he reportedly agreed not to coach in the NBA for the following five seasons.
June 2007: Accepted and Rejected Orlando Magic Head Coach Position
In June 2007, Billy Donovan accepted an offer to become the head coach of the NBA's Orlando Magic but later changed his mind and returned to the University of Florida.
2007: Top-Ranked Recruiting Class
After announcing his return to Gainesville, Donovan signed the top-ranked 2007 recruiting class, according to Rivals.com.
2007: Continued Success at Florida
Between 1999 and 2007, the Gators were invited to the NCAA Tournament every season, reaching three national championship games and winning two NCAA titles.
2007: Back-to-Back NCAA Championship
In 2007, Billy Donovan led the Florida Gators to back-to-back NCAA championships.
2007: Repeat Championship and NCAA History
In 2007, Florida secured their repeat championship with an 84–75 victory over the Ohio State Buckeyes. The University of Florida became the first school in NCAA history to hold both the football and basketball national championships simultaneously.
2007: Rumors of Kentucky Job Offer
In 2007, during Florida's national championship runs, there were rumors that Donovan was considering an offer to coach at the University of Kentucky. Donovan said that he never had any official contact with Kentucky and had no plans to leave Florida for another college job.
2007: Gators' Success and SEC Championship
In 2007, the Gators showed maturity and team play. They lost three of four games during SEC play, but regained momentum with a win over Kentucky, claiming the SEC regular season championship. They repeated as SEC Tournament champions.
October 2008: Co-chair of Florida Opportunity Scholars Program fundraising
In October 2008, Billy Donovan and Urban Meyer were named co-chairmen of an effort to raise $50 million for the Florida Opportunity Scholars Program, which was created in 2006.
2008: Expansion of St. Francis High School
In 2008, St. Francis High School expanded with significant help from Donovan, who had been instrumental in its development since arriving at the University of Florida in 1996.
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. Chandler Parsons also became the first Gator to win SEC Player of the Year honors.
2011: Elite Eight Appearance
In 2011, the Gators reached the Elite Eight in the NCAA Tournament, facing Donovan's former coach Pitino and Louisville, but lost 72–68.
2011: SEC Title and NCAA Tournament
In 2011, the Gators won the SEC regular-season title and were runners-up in the SEC Tournament. They defeated BYU in the NCAA Tournament but lost to Butler in the Elite Eight.
2012: USA Basketball U18 Head Coach
In 2012, Billy Donovan coached the USA Basketball U18 team to the 2012 FIBA Americas Under-18 Championship, going 5–0 in the tournament.
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: FIBA Under-19 World Championship
In 2013, Billy Donovan led many of the same players to the FIBA Under-19 World Championship, going 9–0 in the tournament.
2014: Undefeated SEC Record and Tournament Win
In 2014, Florida became the first team in SEC history to finish with an 18–0 conference record and won the SEC Tournament, running their record against SEC opponents to 21–0.
2014: Final Four Loss
In 2014, the Gators, as the number one overall seed, reached the Final Four but lost to UConn in the national semifinal.
2014: FIBA Americas Under-18 Championship
In the summer of 2014, Billy Donovan coached the US team at the FIBA Americas Under-18 Championship and led them to the tournament championship with another 5–0 record.
February 28, 2015: 500 Career Wins
On February 28, 2015, Billy Donovan became the second youngest coach in NCAA Division I history to reach 500 career wins. However, the Gators finished the season with a losing record, ending their winning and 20-win season streaks.
April 2015: Accepted Thunder Coaching Position
In April 2015, after 19 years at Florida, Billy Donovan accepted an offer to coach the NBA's Oklahoma City Thunder.
April 30, 2015: 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.
2015: End of Tenure at University of Florida
In 2015, Billy Donovan ended his tenure as the head basketball coach at the University of Florida.
September 8, 2020: Departure from Oklahoma City Thunder
On September 8, 2020, it was announced that Billy Donovan would not return to the Oklahoma City Thunder after the two sides failed to agree on a contract extension.
September 2020: Accepted Bulls Coaching Position
In September 2020, after leaving the Oklahoma City Thunder by mutual agreement, Billy Donovan accepted an offer 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.
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