The Chicago Bulls are continuing to widen their head coaching search, this time turning to a respected NBA assistant with deep player development experience.
NBA insider Marc J. Spears reported Wednesday that the Bulls have received permission to interview Johnnie Bryant, currently associate head coach of the Cleveland Cavaliers, for the franchise’s coaching vacancy. Bryant, a former guard at the University of Utah, brings 12 years of NBA assistant coaching experience and previously served as associate head coach with the New York Knicks.
Bryant’s résumé reflects a steady rise through organizations known for structure and player growth. He spent six seasons as an assistant with the Utah Jazz from 2014 to 2020 before joining New York as associate head coach under Tom Thibodeau from 2020 to 2024.
After his stint in New York, Bryant joined Cleveland in 2024 as associate head coach and became part of a staff that helped guide the Cavaliers to a 52-30 record during the 2025-26 season before a run to the Eastern Conference finals.
Cleveland’s postseason ended in a four-game sweep against the Knicks, but Bryant’s name has remained active in league coaching circles because of his reputation for player development and relationship-building.
The Bulls appear focused on candidates with strong teaching backgrounds rather than prioritizing former NBA head coaches. Chicago finished 31-51 in 2025-26 and missed the postseason for a fourth consecutive season, ending 12th in the Eastern Conference and prompting a broader organizational reset.
The opening emerged after Billy Donovan stepped down last month. Since then, Chicago has reshaped parts of its front office by hiring Bryson Graham as executive vice president of basketball operations while adding Stephen Mervis and Acie Law to key basketball operations roles.
Bryant joins a growing pool of candidates tied to developmental systems. Longtime Miami Heat assistant Chris Quinn is expected to interview after more than a decade on Erik Spoelstra’s staff. Former Golden State Warriors assistant Jerry Stackhouse has also surfaced as a candidate following two seasons under Steve Kerr and a prior collegiate head coaching stop at Vanderbilt.
Chicago has also reportedly sought permission to interview assistants such as Lamar Skeeter of the Charlotte Hornets and Ryan Schmidt of the Atlanta Hawks.
