The search for the next head coach of the Chicago Bulls has taken a new direction, with interim NBA bench leader Tiago Splitter emerging as a finalist in the franchise’s ongoing process.
According to NBA insiders Marc Stein and Jake Fischer on The Stein Line, Chicago has begun hosting in-person interviews after an initial round of virtual meetings. Splitter is among a shortlist that also includes Atlanta Hawks assistant Ryan Schmidt and Minnesota Timberwolves assistant Micah Nori.
The Bulls’ coaching vacancy opened after the departure of Billy Donovan following a 31–51 season that marked the team’s fourth straight year outside the playoffs. The franchise has since expanded its search across developmental coaches, system builders, and experienced NBA assistants.
Splitter’s case for the job is strongly tied to his recent run with the Portland Trail Blazers, where he took over as interim head coach during the 2025–26 season. Under his leadership, Portland finished 42–40 and reached the playoffs for the first time since 2021, including a 114–110 play-in victory over the Phoenix Suns before a first-round exit to the San Antonio Spurs in five games.
His coaching rise follows a varied NBA and international résumé, including assistant roles with the Brooklyn Nets, Houston Rockets, and Trail Blazers, as well as head coaching success in Europe with Paris Basketball. As a player, he was part of the San Antonio Spurs championship structure in 2014, adding familiarity with high-level systems and playoff environments.
Chicago’s broader coaching search has also included multiple candidates with development backgrounds. Among them are Miami Heat assistant Chris Quinn, former NBA guard and coach Jerry Stackhouse, and BYU head coach Kevin Young, who previously worked within the Phoenix Suns’ system. Cleveland Cavaliers associate head coach Johnnie Bryant has also been granted permission to interview.
