Billy Donovan

Billy Donovan Speaker & Booking Information

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He is one of only a select group of people to play (Providence) in the Final Four and win as a coach (2006, 2007 Florida)

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William John Donovan Jr., commonly known as Billy Donovan, is a highly respected figure in the world of basketball, both as a coach and a former player. Born on May 30, 1965, in Rockville Centre, New York, Donovan's basketball journey began at St. Agnes Cathedral High School, where he showcased his talent as a point guard. He later played for Providence College under the legendary coach Rick Pitino, leading the Friars to the 1987 Final Four. His leadership and court vision as a player were evident, and he remains one of the few individuals to have both played in the NCAA Final Four and won an NCAA national championship as a coach.

After a brief professional playing career, which included stints in the NBA with the New York Knicks and the Continental Basketball Association, Donovan transitioned into coaching. He began his coaching career as an assistant under Rick Pitino at the University of Kentucky, where he quickly rose through the ranks. In 1994, Donovan accepted his first head coaching position at Marshall University, where he led the Thundering Herd to a 35–20 record over two seasons. His success at Marshall caught the attention of the University of Florida, which hired him in 1996 to rebuild its struggling basketball program.

Donovan's tenure at the University of Florida is nothing short of legendary. Over 19 seasons, he transformed the Gators into a national powerhouse, leading them to back-to-back NCAA championships in 2006 and 2007. His teams made four Final Four appearances, and he became the winningest coach in the program's history. Donovan's ability to recruit top talent and develop players into NBA-caliber athletes solidified his reputation as one of the best coaches in college basketball. His success at Florida also made him a frequent candidate for NBA coaching positions, though he initially turned down offers, including a brief stint with the Orlando Magic in 2007.

In 2015, Donovan made the leap to the NBA, accepting the head coaching position with the Oklahoma City Thunder. In his first season, he led the Thunder to the Western Conference Finals, where they narrowly lost to the Golden State Warriors in a seven-game series. Despite consistent playoff appearances, the Thunder were unable to advance past the first round in subsequent seasons. After five seasons with Oklahoma City, Donovan mutually parted ways with the team and accepted the head coaching role with the Chicago Bulls in 2020. His experience and leadership continue to be highly valued in the NBA, where he is tasked with developing a young Bulls roster into a competitive team.

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