Jeff Van Gundy and Tiago Splitter Among the New Head Coach Candidates of the Portland Trail Blazers

The Portland Trail Blazers are searching for a new head coach after Tiago Splitter. Jeff Van Gundy, Tiago Splitter, and Micah Nori are among the finalists.

Scraper SystemMay 22, 2026, 10:38 AM

Jeff Van Gundy and Tiago Splitter Among the New Head Coach Candidates of the Portland Trail Blazers

The NBA team Portland Trail Blazers accelerated their search for a new head coach following Tiago Splitter, who served as interim head coach last season. According to NBA reporter Chris Haynes, the Blazers requested permission to interview Los Angeles Clippers assistant coach Jeff Van Gundy, and it was reported that Van Gundy stood out among the candidates. Additionally, Minnesota Timberwolves assistant coach Micah Nori and Tiago Splitter are also among the finalists. Splitter led the team to the playoffs with a 42-39 record during his interim tenure but was eliminated in the first round by the San Antonio Spurs. Van Gundy is a seasoned figure who has served as head coach for the New York Knicks and Houston Rockets. It is noted that Portland aims to build a competitive team for the new season with young players Deni Avdija and Scoot Henderson, along with the contribution of Damian Lillard, who will return from injury. There are other candidates for the Blazers' head coaching position, but Van Gundy is highlighted for his experience.