The Chicago Bulls finished a disappointing 12th in the Eastern Conference, marking their fourth consecutive year without a trip to the NBA Playoffs. Following the season, the franchise decided to part ways with Billy Donovan, opening the door for a potential return of a familiar face: Tom Thibodeau.
“League sources say Tom Thibodeau is also very interested in a comeback,” Sam Amick reported for The Athletic. The 68-year-old was let go from his post with the New York Knicks last summer and is reportedly searching for the right fit to resume his coaching career.
While Thibs appears eager to head back to the United Center, the Bulls’ front office has been quiet regarding a potential reunion. Chicago hired Bryson Graham away from the Atlanta Hawks on Monday, and it remains to be seen if he and the Reinsdorf family are interested in bringing the former Knicks coach back into the fold.
Thibodeau’s tenure with the Bulls
The 68-year-old coach is certainly no stranger to the Bulls, as the franchise served as the site of his first head coaching opportunity. After building an elite resume as an assistant with the Spurs, 76ers, Knicks, Rockets, and the Celtics, Thibodeau officially took the reins in Chicago in 2010.
Tom Thibodeau during his presentation as Bulls head coach in 2010. (Getty Images)
In his debut season at the helm, Thibodeau proved to be a perfect fit for the roster, leading the Bulls to a dominant 62-20 record and earning NBA Coach of the Year honors. During that memorable postseason run, Chicago pushed all the way to the Eastern Conference Finals before ultimately falling in five games to LeBron James and the Miami Heat.
Throughout his five-season tenure in Chicago, Thibodeau maintained a perfect streak of playoff appearances, with that 2011 conference finals trip marking his deepest run with the team. The storied partnership between the coach and the franchise eventually came to an end following the 2014-15 season after a 4-2 series loss to the Cavaliers in the conference semifinals.
Competition for Thibs’ Services
The Bulls aren’t the only team looking for a veteran voice. The Orlando Magic, Portland Trail Blazers, and New Orleans Pelicans are all currently in the market for a new head coach and could draw interest from the former Knicks leader.
Given his track record, it is highly likely we see Thibodeau back on the sidelines next season. Historically, after his exits from Chicago, Minnesota, and New York, he has taken exactly one season off before returning to the bench. With 2026 marking that comeback window, the Thibs era appears ready for its next chapter.
