Fred Hoiberg
Nebraska Cornhuskers Men's Basketball Head Coach
Fred Hoiberg's career has revolved around the sport of basketball. The Lincoln native was named head coach of the Nebraska basketball program in 2019, bringing his career full circle at a program his grandfather Jerry Bush coached for nine seasons.
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Under his guidance, the Huskers have made three consecutive postseason appearances, including the school's first NCAA Sweet 16 appearance. A three-time conference coach of the year, Hoiberg was the AP National Coach of the Year in 2026 after guiding the Huskers to a school-record 28 wins and a runner-up finish in the Big Ten Conference.
Hoiberg starred at Iowa State, earning All-America honors as a senior in 1995. He then spent 10 seasons playing in the NBA, playing for the Indiana Pacers, Chicago Bulls and Minnesota Timberwolves. In his final season, Hoiberg led the league in 3-point shooting before a heart condition prematurely ended his playing career in 2005.
After four years as an NBA executive, Hoiberg returned to his alma mater and guided Iowa State to four NCAA Tournament appearances and a pair of Big 12 postseason titles in his five seasons. Hoiberg then took over the Chicago Bulls, guiding the franchise to a winning record in his first season and an NBA playoff appearance the following year.
In 2019, he returned to the college ranks, taking over the Nebraska program. Hoiberg was named the Jim Phalen National Coach of the Year in 2024 after guiding the Huskers to their first NCAA Tournament appearance in a decade. Over the last three seasons, the Huskers have won 72 games, the highest three-year total in program history. In all, 12 of his former players have played in the NBA, including Dalano Banton and Bryce McGowens during his tenure at Nebraska.
Hoiberg and his wife, Carol, have four children, Paige, Jack, Sam and Charlie. Both Jack and Sam continued the family's legacy by playing Division I basketball, while Charlie followed the coaching path, serving as a graduate manager for the Huskers in 2025-26.