William “Billy” John Donovan Jr. was born on May 30, 1965. He is a former US professional player and current head coach of the Chicago Bulls in the NBA. He is most known for his nineteen-season run with the University of Florida, where he became the program’s all-time leader in coaching wins. He was a two-time NCAA Champion in 2006 and 2007.
Billy Donovan – Early life
Billy Donovan was born and raised in Long Island, New York. His father, Bill Donovan Sr. is the third-highest scorer in Boston College history, and at times he coached his son’s youth basketball teams while working in the textile industry. Billy played basketball at St. Agnes Cathedral High School in Rockville Center. He was coached by Frank Morris. As a senior, Donovan helped St. Agnes to win the Long Island Catholic High School Championship, playing as a starting point guard.
Upon graduation, Donovan accepted a scholarship from Providence College in Providence, Rhode Island. He did not start during his first two years and averaged two points per game as a freshman and three as a sophomore. After the 1984-85 season, Rick Pitino became Providence’s new coach. Pitino advised Donovan to improve his fitness for next season. Billy Donovan flourished in Pitino’s system, which emphasized a three-point shot on offense and an aggressive defense across the court.
“Billy the Kid,” as Providence fans soon called him, averaged 15.1 points in his third year and over 20 points in his final year when he led the team to the 1987 Tournament Final Four and won Southeast Region’s Most Valuable Player Award. Donovan was also named to the 1987 Big East First Team, 1987 Big East Tournament Ideal Team, and was an All-American Honorable Mention.
Donovan was drafted by the Utah Jazz in the third round of the 1987 NBA Draft but was fired before the regular season. He signed with the Wyoming Wildcatters in the CBA to get another chance to play in the NBA. In December 1987, Donovan reunited with Pitino when he was hired by the New York Knicks. He was the reserve point guard for the remainder of the season and averaged two points and assists in 44 games.
Billy Donovan – College basketball
Pitino had a task to rebuild a Kentucky basketball program and he hired Donovan to help him. The Wildcats quickly returned to the national spotlight, and Donovan’s coaching career also progressed rapidly. He was promoted to associate head coach role in 1992. Donovan’s years at Kentucky were a blast, and Pitino’s praise gave him a chance to become head coach at Marshall University. At age 28, Donovan accepted the offer and became the youngest NCAA Division I basketball coach.
In Marshall, Donovan instituted the accelerated attack and defensive schemes employed by Pitino. Donovan’s first-team Marshall doubled their win total from the previous year, taking a record 18–9 and winning the Southern Conference Northern Division championship when Billy was named Southern Conference Coach of the Year. In his second season, the team had a 17-11 and led the Southern Conference in scoring and three-point basket percentage.
Billy Donovan – University of Florida
In March 1996, the head coach Lon Kruger resigned and went to the University of Illinois. After extensive research, Florida sports director Jeremy Foley sought out a young, energetic, and enthusiastic coach for sustained success and decided that 30-year-old Billy Donovan was the best fit for Florida head coach. Foley offered him a six-year contract.
With little talent on the roster, Donovan’s first two seasons in Florida had records of 13-17 and 15-16. Donovan brought success to the Florida basketball program during the 1998-99 season. The Gators hit a 22-9 record, winning more than 20 wins for the fifth time in history and starting a 16-season streak of 20 wins. In the 1999-2000 season, Donovan led the Gators in their first SEC regular-season title and their second appearance in the NCAA Final Four, defeating North Carolina in the national semifinals before falling to Michigan State in the final. In February 2003, the team reached the number one spot on the ESPN poll for the first time in university history.
The 2004-05 season was marked by Florida’s 70-53 victory over Kentucky in the SEC Tournament final victory, making Florida the tournament champion for the first time in history. In the 2005-06 season, Florida had the university’s longest winning streak at the start of history, with 17 straight victories. At the 2006 NCAA Championship, the Gators reached the Sweet 16 and went beyond. To get to the Final Four, they defeated Villanova. In the Championship final, they defeated UCLA 73-57 to win the first university NCAA Tournament title.
In December 2006, Donovan became the most winning basketball coach in Florida history, earning his 236th victory and surpassing Norm Sloan. The 2007 Gators became SEC Tournament champions, with great performances, especially a crashing win over Arkansas in the finals. During a post-title celebration, all five of the Gators’ starting players announced they would come back next year and attempt to win another title. Florida got first place overall in the 2007 Tournament and won against Jackson State, Purdue, Butler, and Oregon, ultimately reaching the final four.
The semifinal was a rematch of the 2006 final against UCLA, and the Gators prevailed 76-66. They secured their second championship two nights later with an 84-75 victory over Ohio State. Despite the loss of all starters from the previous season, the Gators stunned many experts with Donovan’s tenth consecutive twenty-win season. However, after 18 wins in the first 21 games, the team did poorly during the season’s final third, winning just three of its last eleven games and taking away the nine-year streak of NCAA Tournament spots. The young Gators bounced back and reached the semifinals of the 2008 National Invitation Tournament (NIT).
The 2008-09 season’s Gators began the season ranked 19th in the country, and although the team won 22 games in the regular season, it wasn’t enough to win a spot in the NCAA Tournament. Florida came back to the NCAA Tournament during the 2009-10 Season but lost in the first round to BYU. With the return of three starters, the 2010-11 season’s Gators improved their record, leading the SEC again. At the NCAA Tournament, the Gators defeated BYU and reached Elite Eight, where Butler stopped them. The 2011-12 season’s Gators were once again invited to the NCAA Tournament. In the Elite Eight, the Gators played against Louisville and Donovan mentor coach Rick Pitino and lost a close game. Coach Billy Donovan earned his 400th career victory at the University of Florida in January 2013.
The Gators won the 2013 SEC regular-season title, finished runners-up in the 2013 SEC Tournament, and progressed to their third consecutive Elite Eight. Florida team started the 2013–14 season with injuries and suspensions and faced one of the most challenging schedules in college basketball. Florida lost two games to ranked teams and had an 11–2 record and a 10th place in the national rankings.
The Gators were undefeated during the regular season, becoming the first team in SEC history to finish a season without losing a game. Gators won the 2014 SEC Tournament, improving its overall record against conference rivals. The Gators took first place overall in the 2014 NCAA Tournament, and their winning streak stretched to 30 games when they reached the Final Four by beating each of the tournament’s top four opponents.
However, the Gators’ season ended in a national semifinal defeat to UConn, the last team to beat Florida the previous December. In February 2015, Donovan reached his 500 career victories. He was one of the rare coaches who managed to do this. He joined Bob Knight as the only coach to reach 500 wins before his 50th birthday. Florida ended the season with a 16-17, ending a 20-season streak of 20 wins.
Billy Donovan – NBA Coaching career
After winning the 2007 national title, Coach Billy Donovan announced that he had no plans to leave After winning the 2007 national title, Coach Billy Donovan announced that he had no plans to leave Florida for another college job and worked on a contract extension with the Gators. In late May, the Orlando Magic offered Donovan the coaching role.
On June 1, 2007, Donovan agreed to accept Orlando Magic’s contract offer, reportedly worth $27 million over five seasons. Donovan gave an introductory press conference in Orlando on June 1, 2007. The following day, he began to question his decision and informed Jeremy Foley and the Magic board that he had changed his mind about going to the NBA. On June 6, 2007, the Magic reached an agreement with Donovan releasing him from his contract and leaving him free to return as head coach of the Florida Gators.
Billy Donovan – Oklahoma City Thunder
In April 2015, Donovan was named the head coach of the Oklahoma City Thunder, reportedly agreeing to a five-year deal worth nearly $30 million. Throughout his five seasons with Oklahoma City Thunder, he had a record of 243-157 and went to the postseason in all seasons. After the 2019-20 season, Donovan’s contract was not renewed, and both sides agreed to separate from each other.
Billy Donovan – Chicago Bulls
In September 2020, the Chicago Bulls hired Donovan as their new head coach. Donovan scored his first victory as coach of the Bulls on December 29, defeating the Washington Wizards 115–107.
Billy Donovan – Personal Life
Billy Donovan, born William John Donovan Jr., is a renowned figure in the world of basketball, currently serving as the head coach of the Chicago Bulls in the NBA. Born on May 30, 1965, in Rockville Centre, New York, Donovan has had a successful career both as a player and a coach. He is married to Christine D Auria, and they have four children together.
One of his sons, Billy Donovan Jr., has followed in his father’s footsteps into the world of basketball. Billy Jr. played college basketball at Catholic University and has since transitioned into coaching. He was an assistant coach at Radford University and is currently a scout for the Chicago Bulls, working closely with his father. The Donovans are known for their close-knit family ties and their shared passion for basketball.
Did Billy Donovan play in the NBA?
Donovan was drafted into the NBA in the 3rd round by the Utah Jazz in 1987 but was let go before the start of the season.
What is Billy Donovan’s salary?
Donovan makes around $4 million per year and his net worth is $14 million.
