The vacant position should arouse desire, but not that (for the moment?) of Billy Donovan. The Bulls coach says he has had no contact with the University of Kentucky, which has been looking for a new coach since the announcement of John Calipari's departure for Arkansas.
“ I haven't been contacted by anyone, I haven't spoken to anyone “, assures the technician, ahead of his team’s defeat against the Knicks. “ My full commitment and priority here is for this team and this group. »
The former Thunder coach is questioned on the subject because according to ESPN, he is in the Wildcats’ sights. It must be said that the person concerned has had a long history with the university championship. And precisely at Kentucky, where he started his career as an assistant to Rick Pitino, between 1989 and 1993.
He is best known in the NCAA for winning two college titles in a row, in 2006 and 2007, with the Florida Gators. Enough to offer him a first position as “head coach” in the NBA, in Oklahoma City in 2015.
Two more years of contract
After five seasons at the Thunder (61% wins), he took charge of the Bulls project in 2020. I'm happy here, at this level. I know I love coaching, and I know I love doing it in the NBA », Continues Billy Donovan, who does not rule out a return to college basketball at some point in his career.
Extended during the summer of 2022 by the Chicago franchise, the coach has, according to ESPN, two additional years of contract in Illinois. And despite a very mixed new season, which will be played out in a few days, the team managers would be satisfied.
“ I give our guys credit for hanging in there and fighting through some of the things they had to deal with. I am with them on this, I am committed to them. A lot of this stuff turns out to be speculation », Finishes the technician, who has a 49% winning record since his arrival in Chicago.
