Full Breakdown
Jerry Stackhouse Emerges as Candidate in Chicago Bulls Head-Coach Search
5/21/2026, 11:16:05 PM
Core Event: Stackhouse Named Candidate for Bulls Vacancy
On March 13, 2024 NBA insider Marc Stein reported via The Stein Line that former Golden State Warriors assistant Jerry Stackhouse, 51, has entered the Chicago Bulls’ search for a new head coach. Stackhouse left the Warriors after two seasons on Steve Kerr’s staff and is now listed among a dozen candidates.
Coaching and Playing Background
Stackhouse played 18 NBA seasons after being selected third overall in 1995, earning All-Star nods and appearing in the 2006 and 2011 NBA Finals. He began coaching as a Toronto Raptors assistant in 2015, led the Raptors 905 G-League team to a 2017 championship and Coach of the Year award, served as a Memphis Grizzlies assistant, then headed Vanderbilt (2019-2024) before joining the Warriors as an assistant (2024-26).
Bulls Situation and Search Landscape
The Bulls finished the 2025-26 season 31-51, missed the playoffs and saw head coach Billy Donovan depart. Bryson Graham was hired as EVP of basketball operations to lead a draft-focused rebuild. Candidates include former Warriors assistant Jerry Stackhouse, Spurs associate head coach Sean Sweeney, Timberwolves assistant Micah Nori, Thunder assistant Dave Bliss, Trail Blazers interim coach Tiago Splitter, former Pelicans interim coach James Borrego, Bulls assistant Wes Unseld Jr., Charlotte assistant Lamar Skeeter and Atlanta assistant Ryan Schmidt.
Official Statements & Responses
Marc Stein announced Stackhouse’s candidacy on X, and Jake Fischer confirmed the Bulls will interview a broad pool. Steve Kerr, who hired Stackhouse in 2024, praised his defensive acumen. Graham’s hiring signals a focus on player development.
Criticism & Opposition
Stackhouse’s head-coaching record is limited. Vanderbilt posted a 22-15 SEC record in 2022-23 but missed the NCAA tournament, then fell to 9-23, prompting his dismissal. Critics doubt his defensive expertise will translate to a Bulls roster that went 31-51.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Sources differ on Stackhouse’s Warriors role—some call him coordinator, others a lead assistant with Terry Stotts. Vanderbilt coverage varies: one notes a single winning SEC season, another stresses the 9-23 decline that ended his tenure.
Verbatim Quotes
- “Another name for the Bulls' coaching search: Jerry Stackhouse, fresh off a stint as a Warriors assistant, has emerged as a candidate in Chicago, sources tell @JakeLFischer and me.” — Marc Stein, NBA Insider
- “Warriors Lose Defensive Coordinator Presence on Bench Stackhouse served as one of Steve Kerr’s lead assistants after joining the staff in 2024, working alongside offensive specialist Terry Stotts.” — Heavy.com
- “He led Raptors 905 to a G League championship in 2017 and later served as head coach at Vanderbilt from 2019 to 2024 before returning to the NBA as an assistant.” — Heavy.com
- “Stackhouse earned that respect from NBA defensive stalwarts such as Bulls legend Joakim Noah and four-time NBA champion Draymond Green.” — PippenInTheEasy
What’s Next
The Bulls plan to interview candidates in April and aim to name a head coach before the 2026-27 preseason, with Stackhouse slated to meet Bryson Graham’s front office.
