Tiago Splitter is set to be the next head coach of the Chicago Bulls, Yankee Scores reports.
Splitter is replacing Bulls’ head coach Billy Donovan as he takes charge of the Bulls and will succeed in the role he played in Portland last season. In his first season as Portland’s head coach, Splitter took the team to an impressive 42-40 record despite the adversity caused by Chauncey Billups’ arrest.
From Portland Interim to Chicago Permanent Deal
Splitter became the first Portland head coach to have a winning record in his first season with the team since Maurice Cheeks won the NBA Coach of the Year award in 2001-02 and the first to make the playoffs with a victory in his first season since Mike Dunleavy coached the team in 1997-98.
In the final 51 games of his debut season with the Blazers, Splitter took the team to a top-10 ranking for its defense while recording a 30-21 record. Additionally, the Trail Blazers topped all other teams in second-chance points per game last season under Splitter.
Splitter secured the approval of the Portland locker room under the lead of its star player Deni Avdija, the latter making the NBA’s First Team All-Star for the first time under him.
It was reported that among those who attended this interview process include Bryson Graham, Executive Vice President of Basketball Operations of the Bulls, and the members of his front office, meeting with Splitter and three other finalists, Micah Nori of the Minnesota Timberwolves, Ryan Schmidt of the Atlanta Hawks, and Wes Unseld Jr., currently an assistant of the Bulls.
Indeed, there was an extensive hiring process done by the team as it considered a double-digit number of applicants before conducting further interviews.
The choice was settled upon Splitter due to his capability as a leader of the players’ development in the organization, organizational unity regarding the direction and vision of the franchise, as well as the experience he gained as a coach and a player.
