Billy Donovan hired as next Bulls coach - Full coaching staff p43

[Posey H8er]

Big win for AK and the Bulls. Curious to know the financial numbers but in any case it's a positive sign that Reinsdorf signed off on this.

[MrFortune3]

I actually like Donovan and think he's underrated, but I worry that this is AK's John Fox hire. That we are such a dumpster fire that we need a low ceiling/high floor coach to clean up the mess and get us from point C to point B before we get a true innovator and take a swing at finding the next Nick Nurse.

But I'll take it. It's slightly embarrassing but I just want competency for a while.

Donovan is a coach who is big on player development so he fits the criteria for what AK wanted. He ran the Florida program for quite some time and had a lot of success.

This is the type of coach we have no shot at with the previous FO.

[DASMACKDOWN]

Someone tell me how to feel.

I think he will get us back on track.

I think Philly fans are breathing a sigh of relief. He isn't the guy for a contender.

I also feel like OKC needed to move on from him.

Donovan moved on from OKC.
OKC tried to low-ball him on a short-contract and he said thanks, but no thanks, I'm outta here.

Exactly. 3rd in coach of the year this year. I know for coaches it doesnt mean a ton but at least someone out there thought he was doing an exceptional job.

[nomorezorro]

i did not believe this was real when i saw the thread title lol.

i don't even have an opinion about billy donovan! just astonished we brought in a guy like him

[DASMACKDOWN]

I think this marks the first time we have hired an Actual Head coach (non asst. or first time coach) that wasn't raised from our ranks since Scott Skiles in 2004.

[nomorezorro]

obviously he was willing to join a "rebuilding" team because we let him in on our ironclad plan to sign giannis next summer...

[MrFortune3]

My initial thought is that this isn't a good hire, but I can warm up to it. Didn't people say he did a bad job with OKC before this season?

That was a bad perception. He had Durant and Westbrook for 1 year. After that it was a hodge podge roster of poor fits and he still had winning seasons.

[ChiCitySPORTS#1]

Ok now I love it. I’m not super surprised because Chicago is a big market and an attractive city. I Feel he can mold this team nicely

[PaKii94]

I really don't know enough about him to know how I feel. Hopefully he can get our young players back on track. Any offensive system would be better than the one the bulls ran last year

[BigUps]

This is a great hire. A really nice job by AK. We have legitimate new leadership. What an incredible offseason so far.

This also brings my hope and dream of Noah coming back to us in a front office or coaching role that much easier.

[Dan Z]

My initial thought is that this isn't a good hire, but I can warm up to it. Didn't people say he did a bad job with OKC before this season?

That was a bad perception. He had Durant and Westbrook for 1 year. After that it was a hodge podge roster of poor fits and he still had winning seasons.

He had Paul George for two season after Durant left so there were good players on his roster. But I didn't watch him very close (or OKC) so I'll go when what you're saying.

It also helps make me more optimistic about the hiring.

[Chicago-Bull-E]

This is big time. 1st head coach with experience hire since a very long time ago.

Young players have to be excited. Donovan will work wonders with them.

[Ccwatercraft]

I have to admit I didn't expect this but overall I think I'm pleased. (At least this time ive heard of the guy lol)

[cowch]

Seems like a coach who gets the best out of his guys and helps develop average players into reliable assets. Im 100% on board. Been a long time since 2010 when I had any optimism about a new HC. Hoiball and Boyball were the worst.

[bad knees]

What!?! We hired a coach with multiple successful years of NBA coaching experience?!? That means we offered him a contract and he actually accepted it??!! What is going on here?

[Red8911]

Finally they hired someone lol!!!! This was at least worth the wait the bulls finally hired a big name nba coach. Good job AK and good job Reinsdorf who decided to pay up for a real head coach, it’s been a while and I’m sure he paid Donavon well to come here.

It would of been a crime to get one of those assistants that were rumored to get the job when names like Donavon, D’Antoni, Joerger, Atkinson, McMillan were all available. I’m very glad they got Donavon, they are definitely heading in the right direction.

[Ccwatercraft]

Interested in seeing the terms and length of contract

[LateNight]

Yeah - I did not expect this, but I think it’s a clear sign that AKME will make aggressive moves.

It’s nuts - there’s actual tape of Donovan ATO’s.

I don’t know what part of last season was Donovan and what part was CP, but they looked great. And they had a good run in ‘16. Not sure how much of that was on him either, but I’m super excited to find out more!

Big move. Way to go, Bulls

[t-time]

I’m shocked but happy.

We have been crying out for a clean sweep at the Bulls for years and we got it.

[RastaBull]

Like a number already stated, I too was crossing my fingers for Unseld Jr. I think he is going to be a very brilliant coach wherever he is hired this year (and he should absolutely be hired). He may have some growing pains as a first year head coach, especially if placed in team with more development needed, but I think he'll be celebrated by fellow coaches as a great young coach in the league for many years.

But Donovan, I LOVE IT! I def wasn't expecting it. To me it's a big signifier that AK and crew are demanding playoffs next year ... if not more.

Excited to hear from the experts on the board that pour over this stuff about Donovan's strongest and weakest qualities.

My limited knowledge (I watched a lot of college ball especially across his time in NCAA), he comes off as notably ... balanced. In college, (and in OKC last year with what he was working with), I feel like I've always thought of him as having a penchant for offensive efficiency. Lots of ball movement at Florida and several years I remember big time transition/speed focal points.

But I also feel like I always remember his Florida teams as being +team defensive teams. They just seemed overall extremely well coached in every facet.

Watching him in previous plays I feel like I hear commentators saying plus things about his play design and out of bounds plays. Not to same level they talk about some like Stevens, but still highly positive.

He's already coached some big time superstars in NBA. With Durant and Westbrook that first year they got 55 wins, WCF, honestly SO CLOSE to the Finals trip with a game 7. Westbrook is not my favorite player, so I both give Billy a credit for consistently hitting playoffs in West next 3 years without Durant, but also a lil knock for the constant 1st round lose (although imo it's a little difficult to expect more if Westbrook is your #1). Regardless, feels like he can coach around the superstars (not that we have that "problem" haha). This last year, with CP3 is really a testament to his approach; I mean it'd be easy for CP3 to come in an team struggle given everything, but some credit has to go to the Coach for bringing all of them together (the stars like CP3, the longtime guys like Adams, and the fresher faces he really developed).