Spurs Tap Hall of Famer Billy Donovan as Lead Assistant
San Antonio has secured a significant addition to its coaching staff, bringing in Billy Donovan as lead assistant to head coach Mitch Johnson. The move, reported by ESPN, marks Donovan’s return to an assistant role for the first time in over three decades, following his departure from the Chicago Bulls in April.
Donovan, set for induction into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame’s class of 2025, has a distinguished career. He spent 19 years as head coach at the University of Florida, where he famously led the team to consecutive national championships in 2006 and 2007. His NBA head coaching career began in 2015 with the Oklahoma City Thunder, guiding them to the postseason in all five of his seasons, including a conference finals appearance in his inaugural year.
After five years with the Thunder, Donovan coached the Chicago Bulls for six seasons, accumulating a combined NBA head coaching record of 469-413. While the Bulls made only one playoff appearance under his tenure, in 2021-22, Chicago reportedly wished for him to continue. However, Donovan opted to explore other opportunities, citing “thoughtful and extensive discussions with ownership regarding the future of the organization.”
Before joining the Spurs, Donovan had been a candidate for other positions, reportedly interviewing with the Orlando Magic and drawing interest from the University of North Carolina. However, he did not engage with college programs until after the NBA season concluded. His new role in San Antonio fills the void left by Sean Sweeney, who departed for the head coaching position with the Orlando Magic.
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