Chicago Taps Nori, Splitter, Schmidt for Final Round of Coaching Interviews
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The Chicago Bulls have begun in-person interviews with a short list of head-coaching candidates that now includes Timberwolves associate head coach Micah Nori, Trail Blazers interim coach Tiago Splitter, and Hawks assistant Ryan Schmidt, according to league sources cited by Jake Fischer and Marc Stein.
Nori, 49, entered the NBA coaching ranks with Toronto in 2009 and has since worked for the Kings, Nuggets, and Pistons before joining Chris Finch’s staff in Minnesota in 2021. He carries the title of associate head coach with the Timberwolves.
Splitter, 41, a 2014 NBA champion with San Antonio, served as an assistant in Brooklyn and Houston prior to guiding Paris Basketball in 2024-25. He returned to the United States last season as a Portland assistant and was elevated to head coach after Chauncey Billups was arrested during the season. Splitter led the Blazers to a 42-39 record and a No. 7 seed after a play-in win over Phoenix.
Schmidt, 39, spent four seasons with Raptors 905 in the G League, then logged head-coaching stops with the London Lions and the College Park Skyhawks. He joined Quin Snyder’s Atlanta staff as a full-time assistant in 2024.
Former Wizards coach Wes Unseld Jr., an assistant in Chicago since 2024, also remains in contention. If Unseld is not chosen, team officials are expected to invite him to stay on under the new coach.
Nori and Splitter are reportedly finalists for the Trail Blazers opening as well, and Nori is on the Mavericks’ radar, creating potential competition for Chicago’s preferred choice.
The Bulls have been searching for a successor to Billy Donovan, who resigned in April. Additional candidates could still be added to the finalist pool as the process continues.
Source: Hoops Rumors
