Tiago Splitter Named Head Coach of Chicago Bulls

Tiago Splitter will get his first opportunity as an NBA head coach. The Chicago Bulls have selected the Brazilian coach to open a new chapter on the sideline following Billy Donovan's departure, according to reports from Shams Charania and outlets including NBA.com and Reuters.

The Illinois franchise is betting on a young profile with significant playing experience and an upward trajectory on the sideline. Splitter, 41, comes from serving as interim head coach of the Portland Trail Blazers, where he closed out the season with a winning record and led the team to the playoffs. NBA.com lists his interim record at 42-39, while Reuters reports an overall season record of 42-40 for Portland.

The move to Chicago represents an important step in Splitter's coaching career. He had previously worked as an assistant with the Brooklyn Nets and Houston Rockets before returning to Europe to take charge of Paris Basketball. In the 2024-25 season, the French club was one of the major revelations in continental basketball, competing in the EuroLeague after winning the EuroCup.

His stint in Paris lasted just one season, but it reinforced his image as a coach prepared to lead growth-oriented projects. He later returned to the NBA as an assistant under Chauncey Billups in Portland and eventually assumed the interim head coaching role during the season. His work with a young and competitive roster has been one of the factors weighing in the Bulls' decision.

Splitter also brings extensive experience as a player. He played for Baskonia before making the jump to the NBA, where he spent seven seasons with the San Antonio Spurs, Atlanta Hawks, and Philadelphia 76ers. With the Spurs, he won an NBA championship in 2014 as part of a structure that deeply shaped his understanding of the game.

In Chicago, the Brazilian replaces Billy Donovan and arrives at a franchise looking to redefine its direction following a difficult season. The Bulls finished last season with a 31-51 record and have not made the playoffs since 2022, so the new head coach arrives with the challenge of accelerating the group's development and restoring competitiveness to the team.