Chicago Bulls head coach Tom Thibodeau said he expects to be back with the team next season despite speculation that the front office will decide to part ways with him.
Thibodeau has two years and about $9 million left on his contract. His team was eliminated by the Cleveland Cavaliers, who beat the Bulls 94-73 in Game 6 of the Eastern Conference semifinals Thursday night.
“Until they tell me I’m not (the coach), I expect to be here,” Thibodeau said after the season-ending loss. “So that’s the way I’m approaching it.”
But one source close to the situation told ESPN.com’s Marc Stein: “Thibs is gone. They know it and he knows it.”
ESPN reported there is mutual interest between Thibodeau and the New Orleans Pelicans in discussing the job that came open this week when the Pelicans fired Monty Williams. The Bulls would seek compensation in the form of a draft pick for letting Thibodeau out of his contract, according to the report.
The Bulls reportedly would target Iowa State head coach Fred Hoiberg as their top choice to succeed Thibodeau in the event of a coaching change.
Bulls star point guard Derrick Rose is hoping Thibodeau returns.
“Yeah, for sure,” Rose said after Thursday night’s game. “Thibs, we grew a bond together. With him being (an assistant coach) on USA Basketball. Him coming out to L.A. to check up on me after my surgeries when I was working out out there. I think we really have a bond, so it’s not up to my decision. I loved him as a coach.
“I can’t say nothing bad about him. Man knows my family. I know his family. So the decision is not my decision. If it was up to me he’ll be back.”