The Portland Trail Blazers have been actively looking for their next head coach. It can be challenging to find the candidate who fits the Blazers’ coaching needs, but no matter who it is, Portland’s future will hang in the balance.
Gauging the Trail Blazers’ Coaching Needs This Offseason
After an eventful 2025-26 season that saw the Trail Blazers make the playoffs for the first time since 2021, they are now looking for a new permanent head coach. Tiago Splitter was the acting head coach for the previous season, but he is now just one of the candidates for the job.
With new owner Tom Dundon’s plans being set in motion, the Blazers’ coach is one of the clearest priorities. There were some controversies over Dundon’s willingness to spend, but it seems that is a thing of the past, since the Blazers are taking their time interviewing candidates.
The Blazers’ Coaching Candidates Are Quite Varied
The Blazers’ search has been active over the past week. They still have Splitter as one of the finalists for the position, but it’s unlikely his “interim” tag is removed. It seems that Dundon is not a big fan of Splitter, so that could play a role in who they will hire next.
Apart from Splitter, the Blazers appear to be looking for all types of coaching profiles. The biggest name so far, aside from Splitter, is Jeff Van Gundy, a decorated coach who was an assistant with the Los Angeles Clippers.
All Known Blazers Final Pool of HV Candidates so far:
JVG, Clippers assistant
Tyler Lashbrook, Celtics assistant
Tiago Splitter, Blazers interim
Jerry Stackhouse, ex-Warriors assistant
Mike Williams, Utah Assistant
Micah Nori, Wolfs Assistant— Blazers Steward (@ShiplessSteward) May 22, 2026
Portland’s coaching search will set the tone for the franchise’s future. The Blazers might have Damian Lillard returning next season, but they need more important figures on the team. The new coach will play a massive role in that alongside major offseason improvements.
The Trail Blazers had a fantastic run toward the playoffs this season. Deni Avdija was a breakout star, and the rest of the team grew as well. With a new coach, they could be even better in a new system or a familiar one with Splitter.
Portland’s Future Will Hinge on the Next Hire
The Trail Blazers are set for a massive 2026-27 season. After a successful campaign, the pressure is on Portland to step up. With a new coach looking to establish a different system, the players must be at their best when they return.
Avdija and Lillard are the clear stars, but the other players must contribute as well. Shaedon Sharpe had a promising season, while others like Scoot Henderson will want to keep improving. It will be challenging to keep it up, but a new coach will make it easier.
They really weren’t lying about wanting to do a full coaching search, this list is getting long https://t.co/tPMHp1hGM8
— Blazers Lead (@BlazersLead) May 22, 2026
Assistants like Jerry Stackhouse, Mike Williams, and Micah Nori all have considerable experience working with good players. If they can keep standing out with a bigger role in Portland, any of them could be the key to making the Blazers one of the top teams in the West.
Between Dundon’s plans and general manager Joe Cronin’s moves, next season will be exciting for Portland. They must find the best ways to close the gap, and that will all start with the coach. Lillard will obviously help the team, but the personnel around him will matter.
Dundon’s Plans Involve Winning as Much as Possible
Tom Dundon has not been a popular figure in the past few months. This has even led the iconic Clyde Drexler to speak up about how the new ownership’s impact on the team.
Given his history with the Carolina Hurricanes in the NHL, Dundon had a profound impact as an owner. Now, he is adjusting to the NBA, which is an even bigger endeavor when compared to his time in hockey. That has ruffled some feathers, especially when as many as 70 employees were let go by the Blazers earlier this week.
However, it seems Dundon is trying to maximize the on-court product, so he will do his best to make improvements on that front. If he can do that, Blazers fans will be grateful. That will start with the Blazers’ coaching hire, and it will be interesting to see how it turns out.
© Scott Wachter-Imagn Images
