[Marks] Billy Donovan has already begun discussing his potential staff were he to accept a head coaching offer from the University of North Carolina.
Donovan, who won consecutive national titles at Florida in 2006 and 2007, remains open to the possibility, according to multiple industry sources, but is far from a slam dunk to take the job. One major sticking point has been Donovan’s desire to remain with Chicago through the end of the NBA regular season on April 12 — five days after the transfer portal opens, which would seemingly put him at a major disadvantage in building his first UNC roster. Additionally, while industry sources told The Athletic that Donovan has multiple years remaining on the contract extension he signed with the Bulls last summer, there is some industry chatter about Donovan potentially looking at different NBA openings this summer instead, with double-digit professional vacancies a possibility.
If North Carolina waited for Donovan, only for him to then take another job, it would be a gut punch to the Tar Heels’ chances of competitiveness next season — and an embarrassing setback in the search to fill a job widely seen as a top-five gig in the sport.
However, Donovan is serious enough about the UNC job that he has already begun discussing his potential staff were he to accept a Tar Heels offer, according to two sources. That staff would likely include several people who were with Donovan at Florida in some capacity, sources said, including at least one who is an active college assistant.