When Billy Donovan’s name was connected to the Kentucky Wildcats, he didn’t mince words.
“I’m happy here at this level,” Donovan told ESPN in 2024. “I know I enjoy coaching and I know I enjoy coaching in the NBA.”
More specifically, Donovan expressed that his commitment was to the Chicago Bulls. And that wasn’t going to change even if the Wildcats reached out to discuss the opening that eventually went to BYU’s Mark Pope.
All things considered, many expected the same kind of response this time around. Kentucky meant something special to Donovan, who was a former assistant under Rick Pitino and essentially got his coaching career started in Lexington. If he was turning down that job, perhaps any door that led him back to college was officially shut.
What has transpired over the last handful of days, however, is pretty unexpected. Not only has Donovan’s name remained closely tied to the program, but the man himself didn’t express the same kind of unwavering commitment when asked to address the rumors. Donovan told the Chicago Sun-Times Joe Cowley earlier this week that a sit-down with the front office this summer would be paramount. He seemingly wants to gain some clarity on the organization’s path moving forward. Don’t we all!