New NBA Rumors on Bulls HC Search Reveal List of Finalists Amid Tiago Splitter, Micah Nori Buzz

The Chicago Bulls are reportedly making progress in the team's search for a new head coach.

According to NBA insiders Jake Fischer and Marc Stein, the Bulls have started bringing in candidates for interviews "this week" with finalists for the role including Portland Trail Blazers acting coach Tiago Splitter, Atlanta Hawks assistant coach Ryan Schmidt and Minnesota Timberwolves assistant Micah Nori.

Nori and Splitter are also finalists for the Trail Blazers' full-time head coaching vacancy, per Fischer and Stein.

Chicago is looking to find a successor to Billy Donovan, who stepped down as the team's head coach on April 21.

Splitter opened the 2025-26 season as an assistant in Portland, but was elevated to head coach after Chauncey Billups was placed on indefinite leave due to a federal gambling probe.

The Trail Blazers exceeded expectations under Splitter, finishing with a 42-40 record and advancing to the playoffs for the first time since 2021. While Portland was eliminated by the San Antonio Spurs in the first round of the postseason, the team's overall year was successful.

Still, Splitter's future with the organization was uncertain entering the offseason.

As for Schmidt, he's served as an assistant with the Hawks over the past two years. He was previously head coach of the NBA G League's College Park Skyhawks during the 2023-24 season, as the team posted a 17-17 record.

Meanwhile, Nori has operated in an NBA assistant coaching role since 2009 and has spent the past five years with Minnesota. He previously received interest from the Phoenix Suns and New York Knicks during their head coaching searches in 2025.