Thibodeau expects to coach Bulls next season, Rose wants him back

The Chicago Bulls' season wasn't over for five minutes before the rumors began.

After being blown out in Game 6 at the hands of the Cleveland Cavaliers, Chicago was left to not only lament another loss to LeBron James, but wonder whether head coach Tom Thibodeau had coached his final game at the United Center.

"Until they tell me I'm not, I expect to be coaching," Thibodeau said Thursday after Game 6.

Thibodeau has one integral backer on the Bulls: Derrick Rose.

"It's not up to me," Rose said, "but if it was he would be back. I love him as a coach."

Thibodeau said about Rose: "I think he'll have a great year next year. I think he has a lot of confidence right now in where he is."

Thibodeau and the New Orleans Pelicans, who fired Monty Williams earlier in the week, reportedly have mutual interest, with the Bulls eyeing Iowa State's Fred Hoiberg and former assistant Adrian Griffin as potential Thibodeau replacements.

We'll give Joakim Noah the final word:

I think Thibs is a hard worker and somebody who's always had us prepared. Now we just don't know the situation (with) anybody. We lost in the second round, but (there's been) a lot of great memories and that's all I can say.