Newly-hired Chicago Bulls head coach Billy Donovan’s contract is for four years and $24 million-plus, according to Shams Charania.
The Bulls’ previous coach Jim Boylen was one of the lowest paid coaches, as he was set to earn only about $1.6 million in 2020-2021.
Donovan’s deal doesn’t quite put him up with the NBA’s highest earning coaches including San Antonio Spurs’ Gregg Popovich and Los Angeles Clippers’ Doc Rivers who reportedly make more than $10-plus million annually.
Donovan was formally introduced as the Bulls head coach today by Bulls executive VP of basketball operations Arturas Karnisovas, who referred to him as a “great communicator” who “has a team-first mentality”, via K.C. Johnson of NBC Sports Chicago.
The 55-year-old coach discussed what the focus of the team will be.
“It’s going to be a player-first program in which we’re going to do right by the players and put them in a position to continue to grow and be successful,” Donovan said. “Strategizing style of play, how we play, how we can utilize everybody.”
He also spoke about what he plans to do first as head coach.
“First thing I’ll do is watch a lot of film… hear from them (players) on how they want to be used,” Donovan said. “How do they feel they’re most effective? How can you take advantage of their skillset in the offense? Then you build out how you want to play.”
Donovan even addressed the possibility of bringing veteran big man Joakim Noah to the Bulls.
“He’s had unbelievable things to say about the city of Chicago… he’s obviously spent the majority of career in Chicago, he loved every minute of it… he loves the Bulls and he loves Chicago,” Donovan said.
Noah played under Donovan in college at Florida, winning two NCAA Championships together.
“I’m happy for the Bulls organization. They’re getting a great coach, someone who is an unbelievable motivator and someone who is family to me,” Noah recently said about Donovan’s hire.
ESPN’s Nick Friedell suggested Noah could be a veteran presence in the locker room similar to Udonis Haslem of the Miami Heat.
