Chicago Bulls head coach Billy Donovan told reporters Tuesday that he’s had no conversations about Kentucky’s vacated men’s basketball job.
Donovan’s name has surfaced as a possible target to replace John Calipari, who confirmed his departure on Tuesday. However, the former Florida head coach distanced himself from the search.
Per the Chicago Tribune‘s Julia Poe, Donovan said he has “very fond memories” of working on Rick Pitino’s Kentucky staff to start his coaching career from 1989 to 1994. But talks of him returning to Lexington are nothing but “speculation.”
“I have not been contacted by anybody. I haven’t spoken to anybody,” Donovan said. “My total commitment and focus is here to this team and this group.”
The two-time national champion would represent a huge hire for Kentucky, but a courting process would have to wait.
Donovan is completing his ninth season in the NBA and fourth in Chicago. The 37-41 Bulls will face the Atlanta Hawks in an Eastern Conference elimination play-in game next week, complicating the timing of an arrangement even if Donovan and the Wildcats had mutual interest.
Although the Bulls have not won a playoff series under Donovan, The Athletic’s Darnell Mayberry called the coach’s job status “safe.” He signed an extension before the 2022-23 season.
Calipari has yet to confirm rumors of going to Arkansas, but he said Tuesday that Kentucky “probably needs to hear another voice” after 15 years on the job. That voice won’t appear to be Donovan’s.