The former Portland interim will earn his first full-time head coaching gig in the Windy City.
After a long and deliberate interview process, the Chicago Bulls finally have their next head coach.
According to ESPN's Shams Charania, the Bulls are hiring Tiago Splitter to lead the franchise. Splitter, 41, previously served as the interim head coach of the Portland Trail Blazers.
On Oct. 23, 2025, Blazers head coach Chauncey Billups was arrested as part of a federal gambling investigation and was unexpectedly pulled away from the team. Portland named Splitter the interim head coach just one game into the season.
Splitter's first year at the helm was nothing short of a major success. The Trail Blazers reached the playoffs for the first time since 2021 and earned the Western Conference's No. 7 seed with a 42-40 record.
However, the momentum from Splitter's breakthrough season was short-lived. Reports emerged that Portland's new owner, Tom Dundon, did not want to pay Splitter a proper head coach's salary, leading to the 41-year-old coach taking his talents elsewhere.
With the Bulls, Splitter gets job security and the reassurance of a supportive long-term vision. He will headline a youth-centered movement to turn the franchise around, led by executive vice president of basketball operations Bryson Graham.
Apr 12, 2026; Portland, Oregon, USA; Portland Trail Blazers assistant coach Tiago Splitter instructs players during the second half against the Sacramento Kings at Moda Center. Mandatory Credit: Troy Wayrynen-Imagn ImagesSplitter will also be armed with an intriguing young core of players. Matas Buzelis (21) and Josh Giddey (23) appear to be the cornerstones of Chicago's rebuild, but the Bulls also have a pair of top-15 draft picks to reload on young talent. The No. 4 overall pick provides an opportunity for the Bulls to land one of the premier players in this draft, while the No. 15 overall pick — which originally belonged to Portland — could be great for a high-upside swing.
Chicago chose Splitter among four finalists, which included Timberwolves assistant Micah Nori, Hawks assistant Ryan Schmidt and Bulls assistant Wes Unseld Jr. According to CHSN's K.C. Johnson, the Bulls were impressed by Splitter's experience as a coach and player, as well as his player development record.
Splitter was a first-round draft pick by the San Antonio Spurs in 2007, but didn't come over to the United States until 2010. The 6-foot-11 Brazilian big man had his most productive season in 2012-13, when he made 58 starts and averaged a career-best 10.3 points, 6.4 rebounds, 1.6 assists, 0.8 steals and 0.8 blocks per game. The following season, Splitter helped San Antonio win the NBA Finals by defeating the Miami Heat, 4-1.
Following a five-year stint with the Spurs, Splitter played one season apiece with the Atlanta Hawks and Philadelphia 76ers before retiring in 2018.
Splitter began his post-playing career as a scout with the Brooklyn Nets, then joined the Rockets as an assistant in 2023. He spent three months as an assistant with the Trail Blazers before being promoted to interim head coach.
On the international circuit, Splitter has both played for and coached the Brazilian National Team. He led the EuroLeague's Paris Basketball to the French Championship in 2025, but left the team after one season.
