New Blazers Owner Dundon Shakes Up Front Office, Coaching Search Underway

Dundon's hands-on approach raises questions about interim coach Tiago Splitter's future in Portland.

Apr. 8, 2026 at 8:35pm by Ben Kaplan

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting a fragmented basketball court with players and the ball broken down into sharp, overlapping shapes in vibrant colors, conveying the sense of uncertainty and change surrounding the Portland Trail Blazers organization.The arrival of new Blazers owner Tom Dundon has disrupted the team's leadership, leaving the futures of the coaching staff and front office uncertain.Portland Today

The arrival of new Portland Trail Blazers owner Tom Dundon has led to an evaluation of the team's front office and coaching staff. Dundon is taking a hands-on approach, with reports indicating the Blazers are considering college coaches as potential replacements for interim head coach Tiago Splitter. Meanwhile, the team's front office is also under scrutiny, with assistant GMs Sergi Oliva and Mike Schmitz recently suspended for two weeks without pay for improper contact with a draft prospect.

Why it matters

Dundon's willingness to make sweeping changes to the Blazers' leadership could signal a major shakeup for the franchise. His track record of overhauling the Carolina Hurricanes suggests he may not be satisfied with the status quo in Portland, raising questions about the futures of Splitter and the front office.

The details

Interim head coach Tiago Splitter has done a serviceable job since taking over for the departed Chauncey Billups, but Dundon is reportedly casting a wide net for potential replacements, including considering college coaches. The Blazers have also had contract extension talks with Splitter, though it's unclear if those are merely a courtesy or an indication they want him to remain. Meanwhile, assistant GMs Sergi Oliva and Mike Schmitz were suspended for two weeks without pay for improper contact with a draft prospect, raising questions about the stability of the front office.

  • The Blazers' season concludes in the coming weeks.
  • Oliva and Schmitz were suspended for two weeks without pay.

The players

Tom Dundon

The new owner of the Portland Trail Blazers who is taking a hands-on approach to evaluating the team's leadership.

Tiago Splitter

The Blazers' interim head coach who has done a serviceable job since taking over for Chauncey Billups.

Sergi Oliva

An assistant general manager for the Portland Trail Blazers who was suspended for two weeks without pay for improper contact with a draft prospect.

Mike Schmitz

An assistant general manager for the Portland Trail Blazers who was suspended for two weeks without pay for improper contact with a draft prospect.

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What they’re saying

“Yet as Stein noted Sunday, new Blazers owner Tom Dundon is already taking a rather hands-on role in casting a wide net for potential options to succeed Billups in the event Splitter is not retained beyond this season. Word is Portland has even considered college coaches for the position.”

— Jake Fischer, NBA Insider

“Sources say that there are question marks, too, about the Blazers' front office going forward after assistant general managers Sergi Oliva and Mike Schmitz were each just suspended for two weeks without pay for making what the NBA deemed illegal contact with rookie big man Hansen Yang two years before he was draft-eligible.”

— Jake Fischer, NBA Insider

What’s next

The Blazers will conclude their season in the coming weeks, at which point Dundon is expected to make decisions about the team's coaching staff and front office leadership.

The takeaway

Dundon's hands-on approach and willingness to make sweeping changes in Portland suggests the Blazers could be in for a major shakeup, with the futures of interim coach Tiago Splitter and members of the front office in question. This aligns with Dundon's track record of overhauling organizations he acquires, raising the possibility of a significant reset for the Blazers.