The Chicago Bulls are confident Fred Hoiberg will accept their offer to become the next head coach of the franchise.

Hoiberg played for the Bulls for four of his 10 NBA seasons and is a close friend of Gar Forman.

The Bulls fired Tom Thibodeau on Thursday after five years as their coach. Thibodeau had two years and almost $9 million left on his contract.

Earlier this week, the Ames Tribune, citing sources with knowledge of the situation, reported that Hoiberg has told at least one recruit that his future at Iowa State is uncertain.