Sources: Bulls finalizing hiring of Splitter as HC...
Key takeaways
- The Chicago Bulls are finalizing the hiring of Portland Trail Blazers interim coach Tiago Splitter as the franchise's new head coach, sources told ESPN on Monday.
- Splitter succeeds Billy Donovan as the Bulls' head coach after stepping into the head coach job in Portland last season and excelling.
- Splitter led the Trail Blazers to a top-10 defense in their final 51 regular-season games, with a 30-21 record during that span.
Why this matters: a sports story that could shift standings, legacies, or fan conversations.
The Chicago Bulls are finalizing the hiring of Portland Trail Blazers interim coach Tiago Splitter as the franchise's new head coach, sources told ESPN on Monday.
Splitter succeeds Billy Donovan as the Bulls' head coach after stepping into the head coach job in Portland last season and excelling. Splitter, 41, guided the Trail Blazers to a 42-40 record and a postseason berth as the No. 7 seed in the Western Conference amid adversity stemming from Chauncey Billups' federal charges.
Splitter became the first Trail Blazers head coach to have a winning record in his first season with the team since Maurice Cheeks in 2001-02, and he became the first coach to win a playoff game in his first season in Portland since Mike Dunleavy in 1997-98.