An upset loss in the NCAA tournament could be the impetus for change. When North Carolina parted ways with Hubert Davis, many expected the school would have their pick of candidates. Considered a basketball blueblood with six national championships and 21 Final Four appearances, UNC just lost out on a coach. Now, a new favorite could soon roam their sidelines.
Favorite for North Carolina Job Shifts to Chicago Bulls HC Billy Donovan
After five years and a record of 125-54, the university fired Davis. Since then, multiple names have been linked to the position as coaches. Yet, Arizona head coach Tommy Lloyd signed an extension, effectively ending any chance of hiring him. The Wildcats signed their coach to a five-year, $37.5 million deal, sparking an uproar. Another name jumped to the top of the list, according to NBA analyst Jake Weinbach.
I would expect UNC to target Bulls head coach Billy Donovan now that Tommy Lloyd has reached an agreement to stay at Arizona.
There’s a growing sense around the league that Donovan will leave Chicago at the end of the season. https://t.co/UmhncdRz3h
— Jake Weinbach (@JWeinbachNBA) April 3, 2026
“I would expect UNC to target Bulls head coach Billy Donovan now that Tommy Lloyd has reached an agreement to stay at Arizona.
There’s a growing sense around the league that Donovan will leave Chicago at the end of the season.”
Currently, Donovan is the head coach of the Chicago Bulls. The Bulls are 29-47 and hold the No. 12 spot in the Eastern Conference. Donovan’s Bulls haven’t made the playoffs since 2022. Previously, Donovan succeeded at the college level, compiling a coaching record of 502-206 with stops at Marshall and the University of Florida. This strong college background could make him an appealing candidate for UNC.
If North Carolina does hire Donovan, he will return to a different college basketball world than the one he left in 2015. The introduction of NIL, now a major part of recruiting, and the rise of the transfer portal mean that recruiting is now a year-round task.
Programs have even added general managers, a role that serves as a buffer and authority between the head coach and the athletic director while handling NIL details and determining roster fits. Currently, Jim Tanner is the North Carolina executive director/general manager.
Last season, the Tarheels finished with a 24-9 record. However, North Carolina squandered a 19-point lead in a first-round upset loss to Virginia Commonwealth. This defeat sparked uproar from former Tar Heel legends. For instance, Tyler Hansbrough, a three-time All-American and current UNC professor, went viral with his reaction after the VCU loss.
Now, North Carolina will need to find a coach. If Donovan is their choice, he will be the first coach since Frank Maguire in 1952 to lack a connection to the school. The Bulls’ season ends on April 12.
