Billy Donovan experienced arguably the highest honor a head coach can receive. He was named to the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame Class of 2025. Even though his NBA tenure has had mixed results, there’s no doubting that he left his impact in the college world.

After Donovan finally made the NBA jump to the Oklahoma City Thunder in 2015, he left behind one of the best college head coach careers. He spent 19 years at Florida as their head coach from 1996-2015. Back-to-back national championships in 2006-07 highlighted his lengthy tenure.

Florida was a consistent contender with Donovan in his 19 seasons. They’d usually finish with a 20-plus win season and a top-four seed in the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament. The Gators also had another national championship appearance in 2000.

After Donovan left the Thunder, he was named the Chicago Bulls head coach. He has been there since 2020. Obviously, his ties to OKC remain strong. After all, he mentored Mark Daigneault and helped him become one of the best NBA coaches.

Daigneault was a Florida assistant under Donovan from 2010-14. Funny enough, he preceded Donovan’s OKC arrival. He was named the G League’s OKC Blue head coach in 2014. He eventually became a Thunder assistant in Donovan’s final season in OKC before being promoted to head coach in 2020.

In his Hall of Fame speech, Donovan shouted out Daigneault for his career accomplishment this past June when he helped the Thunder bring home the Larry O’Brien trophy. The NBA champion was in attendance to hear his former mentor.

“Another person that was a great help to me was Mark Daigneault. Mark and I worked together a number of years in Florida before he moved onto Oklahoma City in the NBA,” Donovan said. “When I came there, he was a great coach, a great partner and great friend. I just want to congratulate Mark and Oklahoma City, Sam Presti, Clay Bennett and organization. What a great run, winning the championship. Really happy for you.”

Despite the divorce, Donovan and the Thunder continue to have a strong relationship. If anybody was going to lead them to a championship, he’s happy it’s somebody he’s helped come up. Anytime you bring up Donovan to Daigneault, it’s all smiles and praise for the Hall of Fame coach.

Billy Donovan: “Another person that was a great help to me was Mark Daigneault… He was a great coach, partner and friend. I just want to congratulate Mark and the Thunder, Sam Presti, Clay Bennett on their championship.”
pic.twitter.com/QkRQWm6q66

— Clemente Almanza (@CAlmanza1007) September 7, 2025