Billy Donovan hired as lead assistant coach by San Antonio Spurs

Hall of Fame coach Billy Donovan, 61, has accepted the position of lead assistant coach for the San Antonio Spurs under head coach Mitch Johnson. Donovan, who was inducted into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame in 2025, stepped down after six seasons with the Chicago Bulls, where he posted a 31‑51 record in his final year. He previously served as head coach of the Oklahoma City Thunder (2015‑20) and led Florida to two NCAA titles.

The Spurs, Western Conference champions who lost the 2025‑26 NBA Finals to the New York Knicks, added Donovan to replace Sean Sweeney. In a statement, Donovan said he left the Bulls “to allow the search process to unfold” and looked forward to contributing to the Spurs’ continued ascent. His 469‑413 regular‑season NBA record and extensive coaching experience are expected to bolster San Antonio’s staff.