Chicago Bulls Hire Billy Donovan As New Head Coach

CHICAGO — The Bulls hired Billy Donovan as the team's new head coach.

Donovan, who led the Oklahoma City Thunder to the playoffs in each of his five seasons as head coach, agreed to contract terms Tuesday night. The Bulls broke the news on Twitter.

The 55-year-old coach, who won two NCAA championships as University of Florida's head coach before moving to the NBA, replaces Jim Boylen, who was fired in August.

In Oklahoma City, Donovan's teams had a 243-157 record in five years. His coaching winning percentage (.608) trails only three active coaches: Toronto Raptors Coach Nick Nurse (.721), Golden State Warriors coach Steve Kerr (.709) and San Antonio coach Gregg Popovich (.675).

A Rockville Centre, New York native, Donovan earned All Big East honors during his senior season at Providence College. He was drafted by the Utah Jazz in 1987 and played 44 games with the New York Knicks during his rookie season.

During 19-seasons as Florida's head coach, Donovan's teams had a 467-186 (.715) record, and won back-to-back National Championships in 2006, and again in 2007.

"We are very pleased to welcome Billy and his family to the Chicago Bulls. The success that he has sustained over the course of his coaching career puts him on a different level," Chicago Bulls Executive Vice President of basketball operations Arturas Karnisovas said.

"We feel his ability to help his players reach their potential, both individually and collectively, will mesh well with our roster. Whether as a player or as a coach, he has won everywhere his career has taken him, and we hope that will continue here in Chicago."

For Bulls star, Joakim Noah, who signed a one-year deal to play with the Los Angeles Clippers this season, played on Donovan's championship teams.

NBC Sports Chicago reporter K.C. Johnson tweeted Noah's reaction: "I'm happy for the Bulls organization. They're getting a great coach, someone who is an unbelievable motivator and someone who is family to me."

On Tuesday, Donovan thanked the Bulls front office for the "opportunity to coach" the storied franchise.

"I'm excited to partner with Arturas as we work together on behalf of this historic franchise," Donovan said in a statement.

Donovan will be introduced to Bulls fans at a virtual news conference at a later date, according to the Bulls' website.