Tiago Splitter Advances in Bulls Search With Chicago Interviews
tiago splitter is among the Chicago Bulls’ finalists for their head coaching job as the team began bringing select candidates to Chicago for in-person interviews this week. Chicago had already held virtual meetings in its search for Billy Donovan’s successor, and the move to face-to-face sessions narrows the field to a small group.
Chicago Bulls finalists
Splitter is one of three finalists named for the Bulls’ job, along with Atlanta Hawks assistant Ryan Schmidt and Minnesota Timberwolves assistant Micah Nori. Chicago assistant Wes Unseld Jr. is also under consideration, keeping the search centered on candidates already tied to the NBA coaching ranks.
The Bulls’ shift into in-person interviews gives the process a more focused stage. Instead of broad early discussions, the next step is happening in Chicago, where the team can work directly with the candidates now on its short list.
Tiago Splitter and Portland
Splitter’s place on Chicago’s list is more complicated because he is also a finalist in Portland’s search for a full-time successor to Chauncey Billups. Nori is in the same position, giving both clubs overlapping options as they move deeper into their respective searches.
That overlap matters because the Bulls and Trail Blazers are competing for the same coaches at the same time. Portland’s process has been slowed somewhat by owner Tom Dundon’s involvement with the Carolina Hurricanes and their Stanley Cup Final run, and the Hurricanes evened their series against the Vegas Golden Knights at 2-2 on Tuesday night.
Portland search timeline
If the Stanley Cup Final reaches seven games, it will not conclude until Wednesday, June 17. That leaves Portland’s hiring timeline tied to the series, while Chicago is already moving forward with interviews in its own search.
For the Bulls, the immediate step is clear: the list has tightened, and Splitter remains alive in a search that has already moved from virtual meetings to in-person talks in Chicago.
