--- title: "Shams: Bulls finalizing deal to hire Tiago Splitter as head coach" description: "The Bulls are betting on player development and defensive IQ by hiring the former Spurs center as their new head coach." url: https://sportopod.com/en-US/cluster/shams-bulls-finalizing-deal-with-tiago-splitter-to-become-n-b2eee8d2 published: 2026-06-16T02:36:47.699+00:00 updated: 2026-06-16T02:36:47.699+00:00 author: "Kostadin Stamboliev" publisher: "Pineido" site: "Sportopod" language: en topics: ["basketball"] --- # Shams: Bulls finalizing deal to hire Tiago Splitter as head coach > The Bulls are betting on player development and defensive IQ by hiring the former Spurs center as their new head coach. The Chicago Bulls are finalizing a deal to hire former NBA center Tiago Splitter as their new head coach, Shams Charania reports. The 41-year-old Splitter, a 2014 NBA champion with the San Antonio Spurs, steps into his first head-coaching role after serving as an assistant with the Houston Rockets and Phoenix Suns. Splitter played nine seasons in the NBA, winning a championship alongside Tim Duncan and Gregg Popovich in San Antonio. His defensive IQ and development pedigree come from the Spurs system, where he learned under one of the most successful coaching trees in league history. The Bulls, who missed the playoffs in 2023-24, are betting on Splitter to reshape a roster that includes young talents like Coby White and Patrick Williams. The decision to hire a first-time head coach with a Spurs background signals a departure from the retread cycle that often plagues teams in transition. "The hire has sparked conversation among league executives who view Splitter's background as a potential fit for Chicago's rebuilding timeline," a source familiar with the thinking told reporters. "He knows what it takes to win at the highest level and understands how to develop players." Splitter faces the challenge of turning around a team that has lacked defensive identity and consistency. What's next: The Bulls will hold a press conference to officially introduce Splitter later this week. He will immediately begin assembling his coaching staff and evaluating the roster ahead of the NBA Draft and free agency. For Bulls fans, this hire represents a genuine break from the past and a bet on a system that has produced championship teams. ## Why this matters Tiago Splitter is a surprising but intriguing candidate — a former Spurs big man now stepping into his first NBA head-coaching role with a Bulls team in flux. Chicago missed the playoffs this season and has lacked identity. Splitter's Spurs pedigree suggests a system built on defense and unselfish play. He inherits a young core including Coby White and Patrick Williams. This move breaks from recycled coaching names and signals a commitment to growth, potentially redefining the franchise's player-development philosophy and locker-room culture. ## Frequently asked ### Who is Tiago Splitter? Tiago Splitter is a retired Brazilian center who played nine NBA seasons with the Spurs, Hawks, and 76ers. He won an NBA championship with San Antonio in 2014. After retiring, he became an assistant coach for the Rockets and Suns. ### What coaching experience does Splitter have? Splitter served as an assistant coach with the Houston Rockets from 2019 to 2023 and was an assistant with the Phoenix Suns for the 2023-24 season. The Bulls job will be his first head coaching position. ### Why are the Bulls hiring a first-time head coach? The Bulls are in a rebuild after missing the playoffs. By hiring Splitter, they are prioritizing player development and defensive culture, moving away from recycled veteran coaches. ### When will the deal be official? The deal is being finalized and is expected to be announced soon. A press conference is scheduled for later this week. ## Sources & Citations - [Shams: Bulls finalizing deal with Tiago Splitter to become new head coach](https://www.espn.com/video/clip/_/id/49075252/bulls-finalizing-deal-tiago-splitter-become-new-head-coach) — ESPN (2026-06-15) --- Cite: Shams: Bulls finalizing deal to hire Tiago Splitter as head coach. Sportopod, 2026-06-16. https://sportopod.com/en-US/cluster/shams-bulls-finalizing-deal-with-tiago-splitter-to-become-n-b2eee8d2