The Chicago Bulls are the latest NBA team to choose their leader moving forward. Billy Donovan parted ways with the team in April, and the search for the next head coach of the prestigious franchise began shortly after. The Bulls were reportedly down to four candidates: Micah Nori, Ryan Schmidt, Wes Unseld Jr., and Tiago Splitter. The nearly two-month search came to an end Monday when Chicago decided on Splitter as its next head coach.

MORE: Stephen A. Smith publicly apologizes to NBA Finals MVP Jalen Brunson on national television

Splitter’s Coaching History

After Chauncey Billups was arrested on gambling charges in October, Splitter became the interim head coach of the Trail Blazers, stepping into his first head coaching role since entering the NBA coaching ranks. He was previously hired as an assistant coach in Portland in June. Splitter led the Blazers to their first playoff berth since the 2020-21 season.

Prior to that, Splitter joined the Nets in 2019 as a scout and player development coach. He remained in Brooklyn until 2023 before joining Ime Udoka’s staff in Houston. There, he became one of Udoka’s top assistants, which helped earn him the head coaching job with Paris Basketball during the 2024-25 EuroLeague season. Splitter also spent seven years in the NBA as a player, helping the Spurs win the 2014 NBA championship.

Why Splitter?

Chicago could have gone in several different directions with this hire, as there were still plenty of qualified names available. It seemed like the Bulls wanted a fresh face to lead their young roster, and Splitter fits that description. While he hasn’t been a full-time NBA head coach before, he showed real promise during his interim stint in Portland and in his role with Paris Basketball.

The Bulls were also linked to Timberwolves assistant Micah Nori, who is relatively young but lacks head coaching experience. They could have stayed in-house and promoted assistant Wes Unseld Jr., but Unseld already had an opportunity as a head coach in Washington and struggled to find success.

Splitter gives Chicago a little bit of everything: a successful coaching background, former playing experience, and a younger voice to connect with a developing roster.

When it’s all said and done, the Bulls may have found their coach for years to come. It could be exactly what Chicago needs to help revive a franchise in desperate need of success.

— Enjoy free coverage of the top news & trending stories on The Big Lead —