The Chicago Bulls are reportedly finalizing a major coaching change, with ESPN’s Shams Charania indicating the franchise is nearing an agreement with Portland Trail Blazers interim head coach Tiago Splitter as its next coach.
According to the report, the Bulls’ decision centers on Splitter’s performance during his time leading Portland. While serving in an interim capacity, Splitter is said to have impressed enough to earn serious consideration for a full-time role at the highest level of the NBA coaching profession. His ability to manage the day-to-day demands of leading a team, establish workable systems, and guide players through the realities of an ongoing season appears to be a key part of why Chicago is moving forward.
The news also frames this hire as a direct follow-up to the Bulls’ previous head coaching tenure. Splitter is described as succeeding Billy Donovan, who previously held the head coaching position in Chicago. The implication is that the Bulls are looking for a new leadership direction and a fresh approach, and that they view Splitter’s recent track record as a strong indicator of how he might translate those efforts to the Bulls’ organization.
While the report focuses on the hiring process and Splitter’s credentials, it also underscores how quickly interim coaches can become candidates for permanent jobs when they deliver results. In this case, Splitter’s interim success with the Trail Blazers is presented as the main justification for why the Bulls are willing to finalize the transition. That momentum is particularly valuable in the coaching market, where organizations often weigh both strategic vision and immediate team performance.
For the Bulls, the timing of the coaching move suggests an effort to accelerate planning for the next phase of the franchise. Head coaches are involved in everything from game planning and player development to staff organization and day-to-day culture-setting. A finalized hire provides clarity to the roster and staff, allowing organizational decisions to align around a consistent system and philosophy. The report indicates that Chicago is already well into the process, with the hiring described as close to being completed.
For Splitter, the opportunity represents a significant step up in responsibilities and expectations. Transitioning from an interim role into a full-time head coaching position is a major milestone. It not only reflects organizational confidence in his leadership, but it also places him in a long-term position where his strategic identity and coaching staff decisions will be scrutinized over multiple seasons. The Bulls’ interest suggests they believe Splitter can handle the pressure of a franchise head coaching job and maintain performance while navigating the complexities of the NBA schedule.
From a league-wide perspective, the report highlights the ongoing demand for coaches who can quickly adapt and deliver outcomes even without the usual full preparation time that comes with being named head coach at the start of an offseason. Interim coaches can face unique challenges, including roster limitations, varying player availability, and the need to establish trust quickly. Splitter’s work in Portland is framed as evidence that he met those challenges and still produced an impressive enough impact to draw interest from another franchise.
The ESPN report adds that Splitter’s rise is tied directly to his work with the Trail Blazers last season. That connection is central to the logic behind the Bulls’ move: if his interim run demonstrated effectiveness, it becomes a practical reason for Chicago to pursue him as Donovan’s successor. The franchise is effectively banking on the continuity of coaching success—assuming the skills and approach that worked in Portland can be successfully applied in Chicago.
As the Bulls move toward finalizing this hire, the primary story is clear: Chicago is preparing for a new era in its coaching leadership. With Billy Donovan set to be replaced and Tiago Splitter emerging as the candidate with momentum from his interim performance, the team’s next chapter appears to be taking shape rapidly.
Source: Shams Charania (ESPN).
Shams Charania: BREAKING: The Chicago Bulls are finalizing the hire of Portland Trail Blazers interim Tiago Splitter as the franchise’s new head coach, sources tell ESPN. Splitter succeeds Billy Donovan as the Bulls’ coach after stepping into the head job and excelling in Portland last season.. #breaking
— @ShamsCharania May 1, 2026
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