Nebrasketball: Head Coaching Candidates

By Patrick L Gerhart@PatrickGerhart Mar 26, 2019, 2:43pm CDT

Tim Miles is no longer the head coach of the Nebraska men’s basketball team. So, now we sit and wait until the athletic department decides upon his replacement. Or, if you follow anyone in the media or online, Fred Hoiberg.

But, I am not going to jump to any conclusions that Fred will take over the reigns. So, here is a list of possible head coaching candidates that the Huskers might consider.

Leading with...

NBA: Cleveland Cavaliers at Chicago Bulls

Fred Hoiberg — Chicago Bulls

Unless you have been living under a rock, Fred Hoiberg seems to be the main choice to replace Tim Miles. He started his head coaching career at his alma mater Iowa State from 2010 to 2015. At Ames he amassed a record of 155–56. The Cyclones were conference tournament champions his final two years and made the NCAA Tournament each of the final four years of his tenure.

From 2015 to this past January Fred was head coach of the Chicago Bulls. He struggled a bit more in the NBA and ended his tenure there with a record of 115–155. Making the playoffs only in his second year and losing in the first round.

NCAA Basketball: NCAA Tournament-First Round-Florida vs Nevada

Eric Musselman — Nevada

Mr. Musselman is one of the hot mid major coaches this cycle. He is in his fourth season at Nevada with a record of 110–34. His first year they won the CBI Championship. He led the Wolf Pack to conference championships each of the past three years while also making the NCAA Tournament. Eric is a hot commodity and will most likely get picked up by some major program willing to spend a lot of money.

NBA: Cleveland Cavaliers at Memphis Grizzlies

Tyronn Lue — Informal Role with Los Angeles Clippers

The only reason I am putting him on here is because some in Husker Nation believe that he should be in the mix. He’s a former player and coached the Cleveland Cavaliers to an NBA Championship. After LeBron left for Los Angeles Lue went 0–6 with Cleveland and was fired.

Tyronn Lue is not going to be the coach of Nebraska.

NBA: Oklahoma City Thunder at Indiana Pacers

Billy Donovan — Oklahoma City Thunder

This might be a bit of a longshot. Billy won two National Championships coaching Florida before bolting for the Thunder. In the past three years in Oklahoma City he has gone 48–34 and has lost in the first round of the playoffs. Yes, he did take the Thunder all the way to the conference finals before losing in his first year, but many are thinking that might have been an anomaly and his true talents lie in the college ranks.

NCAA Basketball: NCAA Tournament-Second Round-Michigan vs Louisville

Rick Pitino —Panathinaikos B.C.

Disgraced from Louisville and now resides in Greece coaching Panathinaikos B.C. Nope, I can’t pronounce it either but he lead them to win the Greek Basketball Cup. Showing that he can win just about anywhere.

Maybe he can win at Nebraska?

NCAA Basketball: NCAA Tournament-Second Round-Texas Tech vs Buffalo

Chris Beard — Texas Tech

Remember Texas Tech? The team that beat up on Nebraska earlier this year? They are currently sitting in the Sweet 16. They also won the Big 12 regular season title (with Kansas State). Chris Beard is their coach and he has done a phenomenal job with the Red Raiders. He is Big 12 Coach of the Year for two years now and I expect his young squad to be even better next year.

That is, if he is still there. I can see a wealthy program throwing money his way that would make the Texas Tech boosters blush.

NCAA Basketball: NCAA Tournament-Second Round-Liberty vs Virginia Tech

Buzz Williams — Virginia Tech

Virginia Tech is another team in the Sweet 16 lead by another hot coaching candidate. Buzz has been at Blackburg for five years now with a record of 100–68. He has led the Hokies to three straight NCAA Tournament appearances in a very tough ACC. Before that he was at Big East’s Marquette, where he amassed a 139–69 record and made the NCAA Tournament all 5 years and the Elite Eight his final season with the Golden Eagles.

The question is, would a program like Nebraska want to throw the money that would be needed at him?

NCAA Basketball: NCAA Tournament-First Round-Montana vs Michigan

Travis DeCuire — Montana

Travis is in his fifth year coaching the Grizzlies. During his time up north he has a record of 109–58 and winning the Big Sky regular season championships in 2015, 2018, and 2019 along with the tournament in 2018 and 2019. The past two years he has guided Montana to the NCAA Tournament, where they have yet to make it past the first round.