Busting Brackets
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Big Ten Basketball: Ranking all 14 head coaches for 2019-20 season

By Joey Loose

EAST LANSING, MI - FEBRUARY 20: Head coach Tom Izzo of the Michigan State Spartans looks on during a game against the Illinois Fighting Illini at Breslin Center on February 20, 2018 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images)
EAST LANSING, MI - FEBRUARY 20: Head coach Tom Izzo of the Michigan State Spartans looks on during a game against the Illinois Fighting Illini at Breslin Center on February 20, 2018 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images) /
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CHICAGO, ILLINOIS – NOVEMBER 26: Head coach Fred Hoiberg of the Chicago Bulls signals to his team during a game against the San Antonio Spurs at the United Center on November 26, 2018 in Chicago, Illinois. The Spurs defeated the Bulls 108-107. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS – NOVEMBER 26: Head coach Fred Hoiberg of the Chicago Bulls signals to his team during a game against the San Antonio Spurs at the United Center on November 26, 2018 in Chicago, Illinois. The Spurs defeated the Bulls 108-107. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images) /

6. Fred Hoiberg (Nebraska)

If it wasn’t for the struggles of Northwestern, then Nebraska would easily be the power conference program with the worst basketball history. They are the only power conference team that has never won an NCAA Tournament game, and the Cornhuskers have only played in one NCAA Tournament in the last 20 years. Fortunately, the arrival of Hoiberg brings a whole lot of optimism to Nebraska, and for good reason.

Hoiberg is known for his success as player and coach at Iowa State, while also for his NBA exploits. Revered as a 3-point specialist, his NBA career lasted for a decade before he joined the front office of the Minnesota Timberwolves. He got his shot as head coach of his alma mater in 2010, leading the Cyclones to five solid seasons. Altogether, he won 115 games and made the Sweet Sixteen in 2014.

In 2015, he returned to another familiar place, hired as the head coach of the Chicago Bulls. Unfortunately, his time in Chicago would end during his fourth season. He’d ironically win 115 games with the Bulls, but his record was much worse. His return to the college game is not a surprise, and he’s already put together a solid coaching staff and roster at Nebraska. His NBA experience is always a plus, not to mention he’s already sustained success at the college level, something few NBA-to-college coaches can say.

In the end, Hoiberg is a really good coach at a program with a really bleak history. There’s a great chance that he’s the guy to lead Nebraska to their first NCAA Tournament victory, but there’s no guarantee of success either. He’ll build some great teams and coach shooting at a high level. The rise for Nebraska might not be in 2020, but very soon, Hoiberg should have this team finally competitive in the Big Ten.

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