Billy Donovan Jr. is a former professional basketball coach and former player. Donovan was born and raised in Rockville Centre on Long Island, New York. As the starting point guard for Rick Pitino's Providence College squad, Donovan led the Friars to the 1987 Final Four. After college, Donovan spent the 1987–1989 seasons with the New York Knicks.
Donovan previously spent 19 seasons as the head basketball coach at the University of Florida, where he became the program's all-time leader in coaching wins. His Florida Gator teams won back-to-back NCAA championships in 2006 and 2007. During his tneure, Donovan led the Gators to more NCAA tournament appearances, NCAA tournament wins, and SEC championships than all other Florida coaches combined. In April 2015, after 19 years, Donovan left Florida to accept an offer to coach the NBA's Oklahoma City Thunder. In his first season with the team, Donovan led the Thunder to a first-place finish in their division and a trip to the conference finals.
Donovan was the recipient of the John R. Wooden Award's "Legends of Coaching Award" in 2010. Donovan was recognized by his peers as the SEC Coach of the Year in 2011, 2013 and 2014. As of 2020, Donovan is the head coach of the Chicago Bulls.