Former Tar Heel legend rumored for Chicago Bulls head coaching gig

Anyone remember the 1993-94 and 94-95 UNC men's basketball teams? Highlighted by a 1995 Final Four appearance, those Tar Heel squads featured a future All-Star in Jerry Stackhouse.

Earning First Team All-ACC honors in 1995, Stackhouse left North Carolina after two seasons, later becoming the '95 NBA Draft's third overall pick. Stackhouse played 18 NBA seasons, spent a couple years in broadcasting, then turned to coaching.

Despite limited success as a collegiate head coach, Stackhouse is now drawing interest at the NBA level. On Wednesday, NBA correspondent Matt Stein reported Stackhouse emerging as a candidate to become the Chicago Bulls' next head coach.

Most recently a Golden State Warriors assistant, Stackhouse started his coaching career as a Toronto Raptors assistant, then took over the Raptors 905 D-League (now G League) squad, leading the latter to a championship. Stackhouse was a Memphis Grizzlies assistant during their 2018-19 season, then coached Vanderbilt for five years before his eventual firing.

REPORT: Jerry Stackhouse has emerged as a candidate to be the next Chicago Bulls head coach, per @TheSteinLine.

Do you want Stack, Bulls Nation? pic.twitter.com/J8pkN6mF6h— CHGO Bulls (@CHGO_Bulls) May 20, 2026

The Commodores appeared twice in postseason play under Stackhouse's watch, making NIT quarterfinals appearances in 2022 and 2023. Vandy's 22-23 campaign was its lone season with a winning record in SEC play under Stackhouse, who compiled a 70-92 record as a collegiate head coach.

Stackhouse's playing career speaks for itself, including his 1994 ACC Tournament MVP honor and number 42 retired in the Dean Dome rafters. Stackhouse earned two NBA All-Star (2000, '01) nods and a spot on the NBA All-Rookie First Team in 1996, while averaging 21 points per game in four consecutive seasons (career-best 29.8 in 00-01).

Stackhouse is a Tar Heel favorite who is also well-respected around the NBA. Collegiate coaching didn't work out for him, but maybe an NBA gig is his calling.

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This article originally appeared on Tar Heels Wire: UNC basketball: Jerry Stackhouse named a Chicago Bulls coach candidate