Chicago Bulls coach Billy Donovan resigns after 6 seasons

CHICAGO (AP) — Chicago Bulls coach Billy Donovan has resigned after six seasons, opting to step aside rather than work with a new front office, the team announced Tuesday.

President and CEO Michael Reinsdorf made it clear after firing executive vice president of basketball operations Arturas Karnisovas and general manager Marc Eversley near the end of the season that he wanted Donovan to remain on the job. He said anyone who wanted to bring in a new coach was “probably not the right candidate for us.”

Now, it looks like whoever the Bulls hire to run their organization will get that opportunity.

“While we clearly wanted Billy to return as our head coach, we had open dialogue about the importance of respecting the process of bringing in new basketball operations leadership," Reinsdorf said in a news release. “Together, we mutually agreed that giving that person the freedom to shape the organization was the best approach for everyone involved.”

The 60-year-old Donovan consistently has said he still has a passion for coaching. The decision to leave the Bulls was made “after a series of thoughtful and extensive discussions with ownership regarding the future of the organization,” Donovan said in the team release announcing the move.

“I believe it is in the best interest of the Bulls, to allow the new leader to build out the staff as they see fit,” he said.

Donovan was arguably the top candidate on the market when the Bulls hired him in September 2020, a few months after Karnisovas and Eversley got their jobs.

Chicago’s lone playoff appearance since all three were hired came during the 2021-22 season, when it finished sixth in the Eastern Conference at 46-36 and got knocked out by Milwaukee in the first round. The Bulls lost in the play-in tournament the next three years.

Donovan got a contract extension last offseason. Reinsdorf said after firing Karnisovas and Eversley that the problem was the roster construction — not the coach.

Bulls owner Jerry Reinsdorf, Michael's father, praised Donovan for the “class and genuine care” that he brought to the organization.

“We wanted Billy to continue as our head coach — that was never in question,” Jerry Reinsdorf said. “But through honest conversations, we all agreed that giving our new head of basketball operations the right to build out his staff was the most important thing for the future of this franchise. That is the kind of person Billy is — he put the Bulls first.”

Karnisovas’ inability to land a franchise cornerstone player and refusal to give the Bulls a better shot at the No. 1 pick by rebuilding were glaring. He finally changed course before this year’s trade deadline, dealing Nikola Vucevic to Boston, Kevin Huerter to Detroit, Coby White to Charlotte and Chicago product Ayo Dosunmu to Minnesota. The Bulls loaded up on second-round draft picks and did not get any first-rounders in return.

One of the players Chicago got in return was Jaden Ivey from Detroit. Chicago waived him following anti-LGBTQ+ comments about religion he made in videos posted on his Instagram account.

AP NBA: https://apnews.com/nba

Chicago Bulls' Collin Sexton talks with Chicago Bulls head coach Billy Donovan during a time out in an NBA basketball game against the Dallas Mavericks Sunday, April 12, 2026, in Dallas. (AP Photo/Albert Pena)

Chicago Bulls Head Coach Billy Donovan gives directions during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Orlando Magic in Chicago, Friday, April 10, 2026. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)

Chicago Bulls head coach Billy Donovan, left, talks with guard Mac McClung (5) during the second half of an NBA basketball game against the Orlando Magic in Chicago, Friday, April 10, 2026. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)

Chicago Bulls head coach Billy Donovan shouts instructions during the second half of an NBA basketball game against the Washington Wizards, Tuesday, April 7, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/John McDonnell)

TAMPA, Fla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Apr 21, 2026--

BST Global, the leading provider of AI-powered project intelligence ™ solutions for the AEC industry, announced that registration is officially open for its third annual AI Summit, taking place November 10–12, 2026, in Palm Beach, Florida. Building on the success of its first two events, the company’s AI Summit will once again convene senior AEC executives to explore how artificial intelligence and big data are reshaping strategy, project delivery, and operations and transforming the industry.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260421204454/en/

Registration opened Monday, April 20, 2026, for AI Summit — hosted at the Eau Resort & Spa — and ends on Friday, October 30, at 11:59 p.m. ET. Attendees registering by 11:59 p.m. ET on July 3, 2026, will receive a discounted early-bird admission price.

Since launching the AEC industry’s first AI Summit in 2024, BST Global’s event has become the premier forum for executives seeking practical insight into how AI and big data are transforming design, engineering and environmental consulting firms. The inaugural summit brought together leaders from many of the world’s most influential AEC firms to share real-world perspectives on deploying AI at scale and preparing for an AI-powered future.

The 2026 AI Summit builds on that legacy with an expanded agenda, new interactive formats, and a continued focus on actionable, executive-level insight tailored specifically to AEC leaders as they prepare to become the AI-powered, data-driven superconsultancies of the future.

What’s New at AI Summit

New for 2026, BST Global is introducing several program enhancements to spotlight real-world innovation and peer learning:

The Proven Forum for AEC Executives

Exclusively for AEC executives, AI Summit offers a highly curated environment for learning, networking and collaboration. Attendees can expect keynote presentations, expert-led panels, and dedicated networking experiences designed to foster meaningful peer connections among 300+ senior industry leaders.

“The AI Summit was created to give AEC leaders a dedicated forum to learn from the industry’s brightest minds shaping our AI-powered future,” Javier A. Baldor, Chief Executive Officer at BST Global, commented. “As AI continues to move from experimentation to enterprise-scale impact, the conversations we’re hosting in 2026 are more important than ever for firms navigating this next era of transformation.”

Event Details
Event: BST Global’s AI Summit
Dates: November 10–12, 2026
Location: Eau Resort & Spa, Palm Beach, FL
Audience: AEC executives
Registration: Open from Monday, April 20, 2026, through Friday, October 30, 2026; early registration is encouraged due to limited capacity

For more information or to register, visit BSTGlobal.com/AISummit2026.

BST GLOBAL

BST Global designs, develops and deploys the AEC industry’s first suite of AI-powered project intelligence ™ solutions. Beyond our flagship ERP offering, we provide work management, predictive insights and resource management solutions to complement a firm’s existing ERP. More than 120,000 architects, engineers and consultants in 65 countries across six continents rely on BST Global’s solutions each day to successfully manage their projects, resources, finances and client relationships. With unrivaled industry knowledge, BST Global serves as a trusted partner to its loyal clients and remains at the forefront of innovation. For more information, visit www.BSTGlobal.com.

BST Global, the leading provider of AI-powered project intelligence™ solutions for the AEC industry, announced that registration is officially open for its third annual AI Summit, taking place November 10–12, 2026, in Palm Beach, Florida. Building on the success of its first two events, the company’s AI Summit will once again convene senior AEC executives to explore how artificial intelligence and big data are reshaping strategy, project delivery, and operations and transforming the industry. (Credit: BST Global)