[Borzello] The University of North Carolina is expected to pursue Chicago Bulls head coach Billy Donovan for their basketball coaching vacancy.
Billy Donovan is expected to be at or near the top of the list. The Chicago Bulls head coach hasn’t coached at the college level since 2015, spending the past 11 years with the Oklahoma City Thunder (2015-20) and Bulls (since 2020). He has rejected opportunities to return to college before, but he could be more open to the idea now that the Bulls are going to miss the playoffs. He led Florida to two national championships (2006 and 2007) and took the Gators to two additional Final Fours (2000 and 2014). One complicating issue with Donovan would be timing; the Bulls’ last game is April 12.
Brad Stevens also wouldn’t be a surprising target. The Boston Celtics president of operations hasn’t coached at the college level since 2013, or in any capacity since 2021. But he led Butler to back-to-back national title game appearances in 2010 and 2011, then made seven trips to the NBA playoffs at the helm of the Celtics before transitioning into the front office in 2021.