Chicago Bulls Hire Tiago Splitter as Head Coach
The Chicago Bulls have hired Tiago Splitter as their next head coach, according to multiple sources. Splitter, 41, most recently served as interim head coach of the Portland Trail Blazers during the 2024-25 NBA season. He replaces Billy Donovan, who stepped down on April 21.
Coaching Appointment
Splitter was selected from a group of four finalists that included Micah Nori, Ryan Schmidt, and Wes Unseld Jr.
The Bulls' front office, led by Bryson Graham, finalized the hiring. The team finished the 2024-25 season with a 31-51 record and did not qualify for the playoffs for the fourth consecutive season.
Portland Trail Blazers Tenure
Splitter took over as interim head coach of the Portland Trail Blazers after Chauncey Billups was arrested and indicted on gambling charges following the first game of the season. Billups was suspended and subsequently removed from his position.
Under Splitter, the Trail Blazers compiled a 42-40 record (one source reports a 42-39 record) and qualified for the playoffs as the No. 7 seed through the NBA Play-In Tournament.
In the first round of the playoffs, the Trail Blazers tied the series at 1-1 after defeating the San Antonio Spurs 106-103 in Game 2. This victory was noted as the franchise's first playoff win in five years. Game 3 was scheduled for the following Friday evening. The Trail Blazers eventually lost the series.
According to reports, new Trail Blazers owner Tom Dundon conducted a coaching search while Splitter was still serving as interim head coach during the playoffs. ESPN reported that this practice is considered a breach of NBA etiquette.
Sources also told ESPN that the Trail Blazers and Splitter had preliminary discussions during the season about extending his contract and that he received a raise from his assistant coaching salary. Sources stated the salary offered to continue as head coach was below standard NBA head coaching salaries, and further discussions were postponed until after the season.
Trail Blazers forward Deni Avdija stated that Splitter was "thrown in a difficult situation" when he took over. Avdija said Splitter "has done phenomenal" and is "getting the best out of everybody," adding that the players "love playing for him."
Coaching and Playing Background
Splitter's coaching career began in 2017 as a pro scout for the Brooklyn Nets. He later served as a player development coach for the Nets before joining Ime Udoka's staff as an assistant coach with the Houston Rockets in 2023.
Before his return to the NBA, Splitter coached Paris Basketball in the LNB Elite and EuroLeague, winning the French Championship and French Cup during the 2024-25 season.
As a player, Splitter played seven NBA seasons, primarily as a reserve center for the San Antonio Spurs under Gregg Popovich. He won an NBA championship with the Spurs in 2014. He averaged 10.3 points and 6.4 rebounds in his best season (2012-13). He also played for the Atlanta Hawks and Philadelphia 76ers.
Bulls Team Outlook
The Bulls hold the 4th and 15th overall picks in the upcoming NBA draft. The team's roster includes young players such as Matas Buzelis, Josh Giddey, and Noa Essengue. Reports indicate the organization aims to focus on player development under Splitter.