The Chicago Bulls have worked with previous Oklahoma City Thunder coach Billy Donovan as their new head coach, the group revealed Tuesday.
Arturas Karnisovas, the Bulls executive vice president of basketball operations, aggressively pursued Donovan after the coach left the Oklahoma City Thunder, sources said, offering Donovan on a collaboration and vision for a skilled young lineup and opportunity to lead one of the leagues anchor franchises.
Donovans agent, Oliver Winterbone of Wasserman Media Group, finalized the handle Chicago authorities on Tuesday, sources said.
1 RelatedKarnisovas and general manager Marc Eversley believed Donovan was the finest coach readily available in the marketplace, and his track record in Oklahoma City– including 5 straight trips to the playoffs in the Western Conference– made him a great fit for the Bulls. Karnisovas dismissed previous coach Jim Boylen in May, and talked with a number of prospects before extending the offer to Donovan.
In five seasons, Donovan advanced to the Western Conference finals in his first season with Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook and reached the playoffs in each of the next four years. Donovan was 243-157 (.608) as Thunder coach. Donovan signed a preliminary five-year deal with the Thunder upon showing up from the University of Florida, where he had actually won two nationwide champions.
