The Chicago Bulls officially pivoted to a rebuild around Matas Buzelis and Josh Giddey this season. They traded Coby White and Nikola Vučević at the trade deadline and finished the 2025-26 campaign 31-51. In the first few days of a long offseason, Chicago will undergo even more changes, as head coach Billy Donovan just left the organization.
Chicago will now search for a new head coach, executive vice president of basketball operations, and general manager this summer. Which head coaching candidates could replace Donovan and oversee the Bulls’ rebuild?
Taylor Jenkins
In a bizarre move, the Memphis Grizzlies fired head coach Taylor Jenkins on March 28, 2025. The team only had nine games left in the regular season and owned a 44-29 record. He was the winningest coach in franchise history, leading a young core of Ja Morant, Desmond Bane, and Jaren Jackson Jr. into the playoffs four times in almost six full seasons.
The Bulls could bring Jenkins in to do the same with Giddey and Buzelis. Many rebuilding teams are bringing in young coaches who can relate to players and excel in the NBA’s analytics-based culture, with Mark Daignault, Jordan Ott, Jordi Fernandez, and Will Hardy being some notable examples. At 41 years old, Jenkins would be the eighth-youngest head coach in the league today.
He’s widely regarded as one of the best coaches available given his youth and track record. His fast-paced offense fits right into Giddey and Buzelis’ strengths, as they play their best when attacking the rim in transition.
Wes Unseld Jr.
Wes Unseld Jr. served as the lead assistant coach under Donovan. He was the head coach of the Washington Wizards from 2021 to 2024 before stepping into an advisory front-office role.
Chicago took a step back this season after losing in the play-in tournament three straight campaigns. Unseld’s record in Washington certainly leaves a lot to be desired, but many front offices like continuity (and the fact that the Bulls wanted to keep Donovan says something about what they think of his staff).
He consistently gave the young Wizards opportunities to play through their mistakes. While Donovan occasionally limited Buzelis’ minutes, Unseld is more likely to give him the chance to develop his star potential.
Sam Cassell
Sam Cassell is one of the most highly respected assistant coaches in the NBA. He has over 15 years of coaching experience. Cassell won the 2024 NBA championship with the Boston Celtics and continues to play a lead role on Joe Mazzulla’s staff.
Cassell could take over in Chicago and mentor Giddey. The former NBA point guard won three championships and became an NBA All-Star during his 15-year playing career. He served as an important mentor to John Wall in Washington and helped Shai Gilgeous-Alexander fine-tune his midrange game with the Los Angeles Clippers.
Cassell certainly has the experience to succeed as an NBA head coach. He needs his chance. Cassell fits this mold of a former player who can turn around Chicago’s culture and develop their young core.
Dan Hurley
The Los Angeles Lakers showed interest in University of Connecticut head coach Dan Hurley before they hired JJ Redick. Hurley won back-to-back NCAA titles in 2023 and 2024 and owns three total Final Four appearances.
If the Bulls want to establish a fresh winning culture, Hurley can do just that. His intensity and will to compete are embodied in his players at UConn. He is not afraid to hold his players accountable, which bodes well for leading a young squad. Hurley transformed the UConn basketball program, and Chicago could allow him to do the same at the NBA level.
It’s worth noting that Hurley was recently asked about his coaching future, and he admitted that the only job that could make him seriously consider leaving UConn is an NBA gig.
“I’m a UConn coach to the end,” Hurley said. “Maybe the NBA someday down the line. But, yeah, no, I’m a UConn coach.”
