Billy Donovan Predicted to be Orlando Magic’s Next Head Coach After Jamahl Mosley

Billy Donovan has ended his stint with the Chicago Bulls on Wednesday, as reported by ESPN’s Shams Charania. Donovan had been with the Bulls since 2020, reaching the playoffs only once during his time in Chicago. 

However, his next job might already be waiting in the wings. According to former NBA player and current FanDuel analyst Chandler Parsons, Donovan could be the next head coach of the Orlando Magic if they let go of Jamahl Mosley in the offseason. 

“I’m on record saying that I hope they don’t fire (Jamahl Mosley), but if they do, and make a move in Orlando, I think Billy Donovan would be the next coach of the magic,” Parsons said. 

“He’s got ties, obviously with being the coach of the (Florida) Gators. He’s got a house there, so that sounds like a possibility…he’s a legend in Florida.”

According to ESPN’s report, Donovan stepped down from his post, despite still wanting him back for next season. That detail, Parsons said, means that Donovan may have seen another door open for him, and it may have been in Orlando. 

“That makes me think even more that he knows that something is coming,” Parsons said. 

Donovan had been the head coach of the Florida Gators from 1996 to 2015, becoming a legend to the school after bringing them two NCAA championships.

He was hired as the head coach of the OKC Thunder in 2015 and reached the Western Conference Finals in his first year, led by Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook. However, they blew a 3-1 lead over the 73-9 Golden State Warriors. 

Donovan led the Thunder to numerous playoff appearances since then before taking the job in Chicago, where he coached the likes of DeMar DeRozan, Zach LaVine, Lonzo Ball, Nikola Vucevic, Alex Caruso and Josh Giddey, among others. 

On the other hand, Mosley has long been rumored to be on his way out of the Magic after a disappointing season where they finished with the eighth seed in the Eastern Conference, despite having Desmond Bane, Franz Wagner, and Paolo Banchero on the roster. 

The team has revived optimism in their current series with the top-seeded Detroit Pistons after beating them in Game 1. 

Billy Donovan Also Received Numerous Interests From an East Contender

GettyChicago Bulls head coach Billy Donovan talks to his team during a timeout.

Billy Donovan has been a sought-after coach since last year. According to Shams, he was also drawn to interest from the New York Knicks, another Eastern Conference contender, last year during their search after firing Tom Thibodeau. 

He also got calls from the University of North Carolina during the season, but opted to remain in Chicago, which finished the 2025-2026 season with just 31 wins. 

Donovan honored his commitment to Chicago throughout the years, despite playing through injury-hampered rosters. Donovan posted a record of 226-256 during his time with the Bulls. 

NBA Insider Thinks Magic Will Get New Coach Regardless of Playoffs Result

GettyOrlando Magic head coach Jamahl Mosley’s seat is heating up fast.

Whatever the result of the playoffs, the Orlando Magic will get a new coach, according to NBA insider Jake Fischer 

“Orlando, with Jamahl Mosley, is almost certainly going to be making a coaching change,” he said before the play-in tournament. “There is a healthy amount of thought around the league that Jamahl Mosley will no longer be coaching the Orlando Magic next season.”

Magic entered the season as one of the darkhorses after pulling off the Desmond Bane trade, but failed to live up to expectations. 

Mosley has been with the team since 2021, overseeing the development of Franz Wagner and Paolo Banchero.

Like Heavy Sports’s content? Be sure to follow us.

This article was originally published on Heavy Sports

The post Billy Donovan Predicted to be Orlando Magic’s Next Head Coach After Jamahl Mosley appeared first on Heavy Sports.