Who is Tiago Splitter? Bulls turn to former Spurs champion as new head coach

The Chicago Bulls are making a major shift on the sidelines, finalizing the hiring of Tiago Splitter as their next head coach, according to ESPN.

Splitter, who most recently served as interim head coach of the Portland Trail Blazers, now steps into his first permanent NBA head coaching role after a rapid rise through the coaching ranks.

From NBA champion to coaching prospect

Splitter is best known to NBA fans as a key part of the San Antonio Spurs’ 2014 championship team, where he played alongside Tim Duncan, Tony Parker, and Manu Ginóbili under Gregg Popovich. Splitter has long been viewed inside league circles as someone shaped by one of the NBA’s most respected coaching systems, an organization known for producing coaches and executives across the league.

After retiring as a player, Splitter moved into coaching and steadily climbed the ranks, eventually earning a chance with Portland’s staff before taking over as interim head coach last season.

Chicago’s decision signals a clear pivot toward a development-and-structure identity rather than a veteran-heavy, win-now coaching hire.

Splitter’s appeal is believed to center on his Spurs-developed system background, his modern player-development focus, and his ability to connect with younger rosters. His stint in Portland reportedly impressed front offices around the league, particularly in how the team responded under his leadership after he stepped into the interim role.

What comes next in Chicago?

Splitter takes over a Bulls team that has been stuck in the middle tier of the Eastern Conference in recent seasons, searching for both identity and consistency. Now, the pressure shifts to whether Chicago’s front office can build a roster that matches the direction of their new coach, and whether Splitter can translate his fast-rising reputation into results as a full-time NBA head coach.

For a franchise that has cycled through different eras without breaking through in recent years, this hire represents both risk and reset.

Get closer to the game! Whether you like your soccer of the European variety or that on this side of the pond, our AS USA app has it all. Dive into live coverage, expert insights, breaking news, exclusive videos, and more. Plus, stay updated on NFL, NBA and all other big sports stories as well as the latest in current affairs and entertainment. Download now for all-access coverage, right at your fingertips – anytime, anywhere.

And there’s more: check out our TikTok and Instagram reels for bite-sized visual takes on all the biggest soccer news and insights.