‘The results have to be there’: Hoiberg returning as Nebraska basketball coach with restructured contract | Men’s Basketball

With his team stuck at the bottom of the Big Ten and questions about his job status heating up after just three seasons on the job, Fred Hoiberg will return as the Nebraska men’s basketball coach next season, NU athletic director Trev Alberts announced.

Alberts announced the news during his monthly radio appearance Thursday night.

Much like football coach Scott Frost, Hoiberg will restructure his contract moving forward, Alberts said.

Hoiberg’s salary next season will go from $3.5 million to $3.25 million. The coach will also give up a $500,000 retention bonus due to him.

Perhaps most importantly to the NU Athletic Department, Hoiberg’s buyout will be reduced from $15 million after next season to $11 million.

“There’s a lot of things outside of basketball-specific in terms of decision-making. And a lot of those contemplate previous commitments that the university has made,” Alberts said of Hoiberg’s contract.

“The reality is, the university made an eight-year commitment to Fred Hoiberg. And we’ve finished three years of that contract.”

Like football, Hoiberg will have undisclosed “metrics” he and the team will have to meet next season.

“Fred, as we continued meeting and talking about the future of men’s basketball, I asked him for some vision and some planning, and what can we do in our program to change,” Alberts said. 

“Because we can’t continue doing this.”

Nebraska, 7-20 this season with four regular-season games remaining, has suffered three consecutive 20-plus loss seasons under Hoiberg. Those are the only three such seasons in program history.

Under Hoiberg, NU is 21-66 overall, 1-30 in road games, 6-49 in Big Ten regular-season games and 7-59 against high-major competition.

This year’s team, with what was thought to be an upgrade in talent on the roster, is 1-15 in Big Ten play.

“I appreciate the confidence that Trev Alberts and university leadership has shown in me,” Hoiberg said in a statement. “Our results on the court have not been what anyone would have hoped, but I am more committed than ever to building a successful basketball program at Nebraska.”

The parallels in Alberts’ work with Nebraska’s football and basketball programs are aplenty.

Like football and Frost, Alberts said he’s been meeting weekly with Hoiberg. Like with Frost, Alberts asked Hoiberg for a plan going forward, in addition to the restructuring of his contract.

And like Frost, it appears Hoiberg will make significant changes to how Nebraska basketball operates going forward once the season is over.

Hoiberg sold Alberts on his plan, the athletic director said.

“The reality is that football has some tangible momentum. And there’s been a willingness to change,” Alberts said. “And I sense some similar attributes with Fred, and a significant desire — Fred wants to be here. He’s determined to be successful, and you have to start with that.”

Nebraska will host Iowa in its home finale Friday night before playing three consecutive road games to end the regular season. NU will then play in the opening round of the Big Ten Tournament on March 9 in Indianapolis.

After that, the makeover will begin.

“I believe in Fred, and I’m looking forward to the changes that he makes,” Alberts said. “Those changes will be his to make, and they will be on his timeline. I want to be clear about that as well.”

While football will always pull the train at Nebraska, there is too much invested in the basketball program for change not to take place, Alberts said.

“It’s no secret we’re a football school. But the reality is, the investment we’ve made in men’s basketball, and women’s basketball as well — we are investing in this program at a high level,” Alberts said. “So the results have to be there.”