Chicago Bulls set to name Tiago Splitter as new head coach in 2026

The Chicago Bulls are finalizing the hiring of Tiago Splitter as their new head coach after his successful interim stint with the Portland Trail Blazers.

Splitter named Bulls head coach The Chicago Bulls are moving forward with the appointment of Portland Trail Blazers interim coach Tiago Splitter as their next head coach. Splitter will replace Billy Donovan, who previously held the position. The decision comes after Splitter’s strong performance in Portland during the previous season. He will officially take over the Bulls’ head coaching role on Monday. ## Splitter’s Trail Blazers success Tiago Splitter took over as the Trail Blazers’ interim head coach last year and led the team to a 42-40 record, securing a playoff spot as the Western Conference’s seventh seed. Despite facing challenges related to Chauncey Billups’ legal issues, Splitter guided Portland to a winning record in his debut season. This marked the first time since Maurice Cheeks in 2001-02 that a Trail Blazers coach posted a winning record in his first year. Splitter also became the first coach in Portland to win a playoff game in his first season since Mike Dunleavy in 1997-98. ## Defensive improvements under Splitter Under Splitter’s leadership, the Trail Blazers finished with a top-10 defense over their final 51 regular-season games, posting a 30-21 record during that stretch. Portland also led the league in second-chance points per game last season. Splitter earned strong praise from the locker room, including endorsement from star forward Deni Avdija, who earned his first NBA All-Star selection under Splitter’s guidance. ## Bulls’ coaching search process The Bulls conducted a thorough search before selecting Splitter, meeting with four finalists last week in Chicago. The candidates included Minnesota Timberwolves assistant Micah Nori, Atlanta Hawks assistant Ryan Schmidt, and current Bulls assistant Wes Unseld Jr. Executive Vice President of Basketball Operations Bryson Graham and his front-office team led the interviews. The Bulls initially considered more than ten candidates before narrowing the field to Splitter. ## Splitter’s coaching and playing background Tiago Splitter began his NBA career after being selected by the San Antonio Spurs with the 28th pick in the 2007 draft. He played for San Antonio, Atlanta, and Philadelphia before retiring. After his playing days, Splitter joined the Brooklyn Nets in 2018 as a scout and player development staff member. He later served as an assistant coach for the Houston Rockets under Ime Udoka during the 2023-24 season. Splitter then coached Paris Basketball in the 2024-25 Euroleague campaign before returning to the NBA as Chauncey Billups’ lead assistant in Portland. ## Portland’s coaching vacancy With Splitter leaving for Chicago, the Trail Blazers will need to fill their head coaching position. Two candidates remain under consideration: Minnesota Timberwolves assistant Micah Nori and Boston Celtics assistant Tyler Lashbrook. Both are expected to meet with Portland’s ownership soon to discuss the role.