Billy Donovan doesn’t deny interest in UNC coaching job but says his focus is on Bulls

PHILADELPHIA — Billy Donovan didn’t deny interest in the UNC job that opened Tuesday night, when the university parted ways with Hubert Davis. Donovan didn’t come close to doing that.

The Chicago Bulls head coach said the correct things on Wednesday evening when asked about his potential interest in being the next University of North Carolina head coach. He stated that he is the head coach in Chicago and discussed focusing on the Bulls’ next stretch of games. He talked about concentrating on a roster that changed dramatically at the February trade deadline.

“My main focus is on these guys and this new team,” Donovan said before the Bulls faced the Philadelphia 76ers. “I understand that there’s stuff out there, and I understand that there is going to be certain speculation. But, I have to concentrate on this group, and really, my focus is on what we’re doing here in Chicago and having a game tonight, and traveling to go and play in a back-to-back.”

It makes sense why Donovan is such a hot commodity. He’s the architect of the University of Florida dynasty, leading the Gators to consecutive titles in 2006 and 2007 before leaving to coach the NBA’s Oklahoma City Thunder in 2015. Donovan was a master recruiter. He was a terrific in-game coach, and his teams were tough and efficient on both sides of the floor.

He hasn’t coached on the collegiate level since 2015. However, he’s still young enough at 60 years old to accept a college job and coach for several years. He would have the kind of NIL budget and a recruiting footprint to thrive at North Carolina. Five-star point guard Dylan Mingo, one of the best players of the current high school class, has already committed to the Tar Heels.

“Over the years, I’ve had a lot of college guys reach out to talk to me,” Donovan said. “It’s different in dealing with players who are being paid now. I also think the cycle of the NBA today is totally different than the cycle of college. I’m focused on what I have to do right now. Like anything else, things are always changing in the game of basketball.”