A new era has begun for the Chicago Bulls. The NBA team has officially hired its next head coach, Tiago Splitter.
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The championship-winning franchise announced the news on Tuesday afternoon and confirmed that Splitter will be the 25th head coach in team history. He will replace Billy Donovan, who stepped down in April.
The 41-year-old Splitter takes over after previously serving as an interim coach for the Portland Trail Blazers. He took over the Western Conference team after the FBI arrested then-coach Chauncey Billups on allegations of money laundering conspiracy and wire fraud conspiracy.
Splitter, who won a title as a player for the Spurs, led the Trail Blazers to a 42-40 record. The team reached the playoffs as the seventh seed after a victory in the play-in tournament.
"I want to thank Jerry, Michael, Bryson and the entire Chicago Bulls organization for the opportunity to lead this historic franchise," Splitter said in a press release.
"The Bulls represent everything I love about this game, carrying a proud tradition, a passionate city and a young, hungry group of players ready to grow. I'm grateful for the trust this organization has placed in me, and I can't wait to get to work in Chicago."
OFFICIAL: Tiago Splitter has been named our new head coach.
Welcome to Chicago, Coach Splitter! pic.twitter.com/7CdLV3vyAW
— Chicago Bulls (@chicagobulls) June 16, 2026
Prior to his tenure in Portland, Splitter also served as head coach of Paris Basketball (2024-25). He led the team to the French League championship with a win over Monaco. Paris Basketball also won the Basketball Cup title after defeating Le Mans.
"We are excited to welcome Tiago to the Chicago Bulls," said Chicago Bulls Executive Vice President of Basketball Operations Bryson Graham. "Throughout our process, Tiago stood apart for his basketball intellect, his ability to connect with and develop players, and the way his teams compete every single night.
"He has won at every level of the game as both a player and a coach, on multiple continents, and we believe his vision is the right fit for our young roster. We are excited to partner with him as we build the next era of Bulls basketball."
Splitter will now take over for a team that has not regularly contended for playoff appearances. Tom Thibodeau led Chicago to the postseason every year of his tenure (2011-2015), which included an appearance in the Eastern Conference Finals in 2010-11.
The Bulls only had one playoff appearance in Fred Hoiberg's four years leading the team, and it only had one appearance in Donovan's six years. Both appearances ended in the first round.
