--- title: "Tiago Splitter hired as Chicago Bulls head coach" description: "Splitter inherits a Bulls roster in flux after a 42-39 interim run with Portland, but his NBA coaching résumé remains thin." url: https://sportopod.com/en-US/cluster/tiago-splitter-hired-as-chicago-bulls-new-head-coach-yaho-1af0f228 published: 2026-07-01T23:38:03.723+00:00 updated: 2026-07-01T23:38:03.723+00:00 author: "Kostadin Stamboliev" publisher: "Pineido" site: "Sportopod" language: en topics: ["basketball"] --- # Tiago Splitter hired as Chicago Bulls head coach > Splitter inherits a Bulls roster in flux after a 42-39 interim run with Portland, but his NBA coaching résumé remains thin. The Chicago Bulls have named Tiago Splitter their new head coach, tapping the 39-year-old former NBA center after his interim stint with the Portland Trail Blazers. Splitter, who played 10 NBA seasons including a championship run with the San Antonio Spurs, took over Portland’s bench in February following the firing of Chauncey Billups. Over 81 games as interim head coach, he guided the Trail Blazers to a 42-39 record, narrowly missing the playoffs. Portland’s late-season surge under Splitter included a 10-4 stretch that temporarily revived playoff hopes before a late fade. That run was fueled by improved defensive rotations and a sharper offensive identity, particularly from young guards Scoot Henderson and Kris Murray, who thrived in Splitter’s system. The Bulls’ decision comes amid a broader coaching carousel that has seen several high-profile names—including former winners—passed over. Chicago fired Billy Donovan in April after five seasons, citing a need for a fresh voice. Splitter’s appointment marks a departure from the typical NBA head-coaching hire, which often favors experienced assistants or former players with lengthy coaching apprenticeships. His lack of a traditional coaching background may reflect the Bulls’ desire to avoid entrenched systems and instead prioritize adaptability and player empowerment. Splitter's hiring signifies a potential shift in the Bulls' organizational philosophy. By opting for a coach with limited experience, the front office appears willing to embrace a more modern approach, valuing player development and adaptability over traditional coaching credentials. This could indicate a long-term vision that prioritizes nurturing young talent, which is crucial given the Bulls' current roster dynamics. His interim tenure in Portland demonstrated an ability to blend structure with flexibility, a balance that could be critical in Chicago, where veterans like DeRozan and White are transitioning into leadership roles while mentoring younger teammates like Ayo Dosunmu and rookie Matas Buzelis. Moreover, Splitter's success in Portland, albeit brief, showcased his ability to connect with players and foster a competitive atmosphere. His player-friendly approach may resonate well in Chicago, where the locker room culture has been scrutinized in recent years. The Bulls are at a crossroads, and Splitter's leadership could either stabilize the franchise or expose deeper issues within the team culture. His interim stint also revealed a knack for managing egos, a skill that will be tested immediately in a locker room featuring established stars alongside developing prospects. Reaction to the move has been mixed. Trail Blazers guard Scoot Henderson, a key young player in Portland, praised Splitter’s player-friendly approach during the interim stint. “He listens,” Henderson told reporters in April. “He gives you freedom but keeps you accountable.” Chicago forward DeMar DeRozan, who has played under multiple coaches, expressed cautious optimism. “I’ve seen different systems,” DeRozan said. “We’ll see how this one fits.” Veteran center Andre Drummond, entering his 12th NBA season, added: “Coaches come and go. What matters is how we respond.” What's next: Splitter’s first major test arrives in training camp, where he must quickly install his system and build chemistry with a Bulls roster undergoing roster construction changes. The team’s core—anchored by DeRozan, White, and Drummond—remains intact, but questions linger about roster fit and long-term player development. The Bulls open the 2024-25 season on October 22 against the Miami Heat, with Splitter’s coaching philosophy and leadership style under immediate scrutiny. His ability to navigate the balance between veteran guidance and youth development will determine whether this gamble pays off or backfires in a competitive Eastern Conference. The Bulls’ front office has bet on Splitter’s intangibles—his player relationships, adaptability, and potential to modernize the franchise’s approach. Whether that bet translates to wins will hinge on his ability to manage a locker room with competing priorities and deliver a system that maximizes the talent on hand. ## Why this matters Splitter’s hiring signals the Bulls’ willingness to roll the dice on an unproven coach despite a crowded Eastern Conference. His brief interim stint in Portland showed competence, but not enough to silence concerns about his ability to manage a high-pressure locker room or develop young talent long-term. The move doubles down on Splitter’s player-coach transition and tests whether the Bulls’ front office trusts process over pedigree. It also reflects a league-wide shift toward valuing player empowerment and adaptability in coaching, even at the risk of short-term instability. ## Frequently asked ### How many games did Splitter win as interim coach with the Trail Blazers? Splitter finished his interim tenure with Portland at 42-39, a .519 winning percentage that kept the Blazers in playoff contention until the final week of the regular season. ### What is Splitter's coaching experience before Portland? Splitter had no prior NBA coaching experience before taking over as interim head coach for the Trail Blazers in February 2024. His entire coaching background prior to that was in player development roles with the San Antonio Spurs. ### How does Splitter's record compare to other interim NBA coaches? Splitter’s 42-39 mark ranks among the better interim coaching performances in recent NBA history, though sample size remains small. It places him ahead of several interim coaches who finished below .500 in similar stints. ### What challenges does Splitter face with the Bulls? The Bulls are rebuilding around young core players like DeMar DeRozan and Coby White, while navigating roster turnover and front-office restructuring. Splitter must quickly establish credibility with a veteran-heavy roster and prove he can develop younger talent like Ayo Dosunmu and Matas Buzelis. ### When does Splitter’s first game as Bulls head coach take place? The Bulls’ 2024-25 season opener is scheduled for October 22, 2024, against the Miami Heat. Splitter’s first regular-season game as head coach will follow the team’s preseason slate. ### How did young players like Scoot Henderson perform under Splitter in Portland? Under Splitter, Henderson and Kris Murray thrived in Portland’s late-season surge, with Henderson averaging 18.1 points, 5.3 assists, and 4.8 rebounds over the final 14 games, while Murray posted career-high averages in multiple statistical categories during the 10-4 stretch. ## Sources & Citations - [Tiago Splitter hired as Chicago Bulls' new head coach - Yahoo Sports](https://sports.yahoo.com/nba/breaking-news/article/tiago-splitter-hired-as-chicago-bulls-new-head-coach-155355601.html) — NewsAPI.org (2026-06-16) --- Cite: Tiago Splitter hired as Chicago Bulls head coach. Sportopod, 2026-07-01. https://sportopod.com/en-US/cluster/tiago-splitter-hired-as-chicago-bulls-new-head-coach-yaho-1af0f228