Did Bulls get it right with hiring of Tiago Splitter as new head coach?

The Chicago Bulls are signing Portland Trail Blazers interim coach Tiago Splitter to serve as the franchise's new head coach. The news comes from multiple sources, including ESPN's Shams Charania and Bulls insider and Chicago Sports Network's K.C. Johnson.

"Confirming that the Bulls are finalizing agreement to make Tiago Splitter head coach," Johnson posted on X on Monday. "New exec VP Bryson Graham tabbed the acting Trail Blazers head coach after extensive search process and interviews with four finalists."

So, was this the right move for Chicago? The team has been looking for a new head coach ever since it parted ways with head coach Billy Donovan on April 21 after six seasons, so they've been looking for nearly two months. They cast a wide net, and this decision likely came with a great deal of research.

Bulls hire Tiago Splitter as new head coach: Was it the right move?

What do you look for in a new head coach in the NBA? What stands out is past success, especially in unfamiliar territory. Splitter has it, and that's one reason this could be the right move for the franchise.

The Bulls are in the middle of a total makeover, and that brings turmoil. But Splitter is used to coaching amid change and havoc. The Blazers had Splitter take over immediately after Chauncey Billups stopped coaching in October of 2025, after Billups was arrested by the FBI due to an illegal gambling and money laundering probe.

So, Splitter took over during a dramatic time in the Blazers' camp. Despite that, he led the Portland Trail Blazers to a 42-40 record and got them to the postseason.

Time will tell if Splitter is the right coach for the Bulls, but he's walking into this situation with experience and an apparent ability to coach under pressure. That's good news for the Bulls.