Billy Donovan agrees to join Spurs as lead assistant coach

Billy Donovan has agreed to become the lead assistant coach for the San Antonio Spurs under head coach Mitch Johnson. The agreement was reported Thursday by multiple outlets citing sources familiar with the situation.

Donovan's move Donovan, a member of the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame class of 2025, joins the Western Conference champions after 11 seasons as an NBA head coach. He previously coached the Chicago Bulls and Oklahoma City Thunder. Donovan, 61, stepped down in April as head coach of the Bulls after six seasons.

The Bulls said at the time that they wanted the longtime coach to remain in Chicago but that they respected his choice. Sources told ESPN at the time that Donovan planned to continue his coaching career and would be a viable target moving forward in the NBA landscape.

Prior interest and contract details Donovan received interest from multiple organizations while under contract with the Bulls. He held an option in his contract for next season and elected to step down after extensive meetings with team ownership. Donovan led the Bulls to a 226-256 record in his six seasons, and they missed the playoffs for a fourth consecutive season this year.

Prior to Chicago, he spent five seasons in Oklahoma City, where he went 243-157 and made the playoffs every year. He also won two college basketball national titles with Florida in 2006 and 2007.