Tiago Splitter Named 25th Coach in Chicago Bulls History

Tiago Splitter was formally introduced as the 25th head coach in Chicago Bulls franchise history on Wednesday, marking a significant leadership change for the struggling NBA team. The 41-year-old Brazilian-born coach brings seven years of NBA playing experience and a recent stint as interim head coach of the Portland Trail Blazers. Growing up in Brazil, Splitter was a devoted fan of Michael Jordan and the Bulls, watching games in the early morning hours before his parents woke up—a connection he reflected upon with a wry smile during his introduction.

Splitter emerged from a competitive candidate pool that included Minnesota Timberwolves assistant Micah Nori, Atlanta Hawks assistant Ryan Schmidt, and Wes Unseld Jr., who previously served on Chicago's coaching staff. Executive Vice President of Basketball Operations Bryson Graham, who assumed his role on May 4, praised Splitter's competitiveness and ability to connect with players. "We are at the ground floor," Graham said. "When you have someone that has a vision that aligns with yours, that knows how you want to play, and how to build a program, we couldn't be more excited."

Splitter's appointment comes after Billy Donovan's resignation following six seasons as head coach. During his final season with the Trail Blazers, Splitter took over as interim coach in October when previous head coach Chauncey Billups was arrested in connection with a federal gambling investigation. Despite the challenging circumstances, Splitter led Portland to a 42-40 record and the first playoff appearance since the 2020-21 season, though they lost to San Antonio in the first round. "It wasn't an easy situation," Splitter acknowledged, noting that the team's ability to focus on basketball despite external distractions proved crucial.

Splitter's playing career included stints with San Antonio, Atlanta, and Philadelphia. He was drafted by the Spurs in 2007 and helped the team win an NBA championship in 2014. His post-playing career includes five seasons with Brooklyn as a pro scout and assistant coach, one season as an assistant with Houston, and most recently coaching Paris Basketball Club to a French Cup championship during the 2024-25 season. Graham highlighted that Splitter's extensive experience both as a player and coach made him an attractive candidate.

The Bulls finished the previous season with a 31-51 record, ranking 28th in defensive efficiency and missing the playoffs for the fourth consecutive year. With the fourth and 15th overall picks in the upcoming draft and significant salary-cap space for free agency, the franchise is entering a rebuilding phase. When asked about expectations, Splitter offered a straightforward commitment: "I can guarantee you one thing: We're going to compete every night. And we're going to have high standards with everything that we do."