History of Billy Donovan in Timeline

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.

Sections (4)

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

May 30, 1965: William John Donovan Jr. Born

On May 30, 1965, William John Donovan Jr. was born. He later became a professional basketball coach and former player.

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.

August 5, 1989: Marriage to Christine Hasbrouck

On August 5, 1989, Billy Donovan married Christine Hasbrouck. She is a descendant of the Hasbrouck family.

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.

1991: Duke's Back-to-Back Title Win

In 1991, Duke was the last back-to-back title winner.

1992: Promoted to Associate Head Coach

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

1992: Duke's Back-to-Back Title Win

In 1992, Duke was the last back-to-back title winner.

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.

1993: Marshall University

In 1993-94 season, the Thundering Herd had struggled to a 9–18 record

December 1994: Marshall vs. Kentucky Game

In December 1994, Marshall played against Kentucky, losing 116-75.

1994: Head Coaching Position at Marshall University

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

1994: Gators Reach Final Four

In 1994, the Florida Gators reached their first Final Four under Kruger.

1995: Southern Conference Coach of the Year

In 1995, Billy Donovan was named the Southern Conference Coach of the Year.

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: Parents move to Gainesville

In 1996, Donovan's parents bought a home in Gainesville, Florida. His father, Bill Donovan Sr., became a regular attendee at Gator games and practices.

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.

1997: Invited to NIT

In 1997-98, the Florida team was invited to the National Invitation Tournament (NIT).

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: NCAA Sweet Sixteen

In 1999, Billy Donovan's Florida team made their third NCAA Sweet Sixteen appearance.

1999: SEC Championship

In the 1999-2000 season, Billy Donovan led the Florida Gators to their first regular season SEC Championship.

2000: Gators Won SEC Regular Season

During the 2000–01 season, the Gators again won the SEC regular season 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.

February 3, 2003: Team Achieved No. 1 Ranking

On February 3, 2003, Billy Donovan's team achieved a No. 1 ranking in the ESPN/USA Today poll for the first time in school history.

December 8, 2003: Returned to No. 1 Ranking

On December 8, 2003, Billy Donovan's Florida Gator team returned to the No. 1 ranking in the ESPN/USA Today poll.

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.

2004: Florida Won SEC Tournament

In the 2004–05 season, Florida defeated Kentucky to win the SEC tournament championship.

2005: Underperformed in NCAA Tournament

From 2001 to 2005, Donovan's Florida squads underperformed in the NCAA tournament.

2005: Best Start to Season

In the 2005-06 season, Donovan's Gator squad posted the school's best-ever win streak to start a season.

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.

2006: Amos Alonzo Stagg Award

In 2006, the United States Sports Academy presented Billy Donovan with the Amos Alonzo Stagg Award.

2006: Rematch Against UCLA

In 2006, the semi-final was a rematch of the title game against UCLA, and Donovan's Gators prevailed 76–66.

2006: Lost to Tennessee Volunteers

In the 2005-06 season, the Florida Gators failed to reach the top spot in the AP Poll as they lost to the Tennessee Volunteers.

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.

2008: NIT Semifinals

In 2008, despite losing five starters, the Gators had a tenth straight twenty-win season but struggled at the end. They reached the NIT semifinals before losing to UMass.

2008: Season Start and Ranking Drop

In 2008, the Gators started the season ranked No. 19, but a loss to Florida State knocked them out of the top twenty-five.

2009: Legends Classic Tournament Win

In 2009, Florida defeated Michigan State to win the Legends Classic tournament.

2009: NIT Quarterfinals

In 2009, despite winning twenty-two regular-season games, the Gators didn't earn an NCAA tournament bid but lost in the NIT quarterfinals to Penn State.

2010: John R. Wooden Award

In 2010, Billy Donovan was the recipient of the John R. Wooden Award's "Legends of Coaching Award".

2010: Improved Record

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

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: SEC Coach of the Year

In 2011, Billy Donovan was recognized by his peers as the SEC Coach of the Year.

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.

2013: SEC Coach of the Year

In 2013, Billy Donovan was recognized by his peers as the SEC Coach of the Year.

2013: Challenging Start to the Season

In 2013, Donovan's squad faced a challenging non-conference schedule due to player injuries and suspensions.

2014: SEC Coach of the Year

In 2014, Billy Donovan was recognized by his peers as the SEC Coach of the Year.

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: NBA Return

Billy Donovan made his NBA return in 2015.

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.

2019: Named NBA Coach's Association Coach of the Year

Billy Donovan was named the NBA Coach's Association Coach of the Year after the 2019-2020 season.

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.

2020: Potential US Men's National Basketball Team Coach

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