The Chicago Bulls are set to hire Tiago Splitter as their next head coach, finalizing a move to replace Billy Donovan, who stepped down in April after six seasons with the team. Splitter, 41, brings recent head coaching experience from his interim role with the Portland Trail Blazers, where he led the team to a 42-40 record and a playoff appearance last season.

Splitter’s tenure in Portland began amid turmoil following the arrest of former head coach Chauncey Billups in connection with an FBI investigation into illegal gambling. Despite inheriting a young and unsettled roster, Splitter helped refocus the team, guiding them into the Western Conference play-in tournament, where they defeated the Phoenix Suns to secure a playoff berth. Under his leadership, the Trail Blazers also saw significant player development, including the emergence of forward Deni Avdija as a first-time All-Star and a resurgence for guard Scoot Henderson, the No. 3 overall pick in the 2023 draft.

A former NBA champion with the San Antonio Spurs, Splitter began his coaching career as an assistant with the Brooklyn Nets in 2019 before joining Portland’s staff in 2025. His coaching philosophy aligns closely with the Bulls’ goals under new executive vice president of basketball operations Bryson Graham, who emphasized the need for a coach with strong character, intelligence, and the ability to manage both offense and defense effectively. Graham has highlighted a focus on building a solid defensive foundation, a trait that Splitter demonstrated by leading the Trail Blazers to a top-10 defensive ranking over his last 51 regular-season games, during which the team posted a 30-21 record.

The Bulls enter the offseason with significant flexibility, holding the No. 4 and No. 15 picks in the upcoming NBA Draft and substantial salary-cap space. Graham is expected to prioritize drafting the best available talent while aiming to restore the team’s defensive identity.

In their coaching search, Chicago narrowed the field to four finalists: Splitter, Minnesota Timberwolves assistant Micah Nori, Atlanta Hawks assistant Ryan Schmidt, and internal candidate Wes Unseld Jr. Nori remains a candidate for other NBA head coaching vacancies, while Unseld is expected to stay with the Bulls as a lead assistant to facilitate the transition, pending his own decision.

As the Bulls prepare for the 2026-27 season, the organization and its fans will look to Splitter to harness the team’s young talent and guide them back to playoff contention with a balanced, disciplined approach on both ends of the court.