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Why Loenser Staying Is a Big Win for Nebraska Basketball

Nebraska keeps momentum intact as Loenser remains on staff after UNI decision.
Trevor Tarr|
Nate Loenser has been on Fred Hoiberg's staff for the past five seasons as an assistant coach.
Nate Loenser has been on Fred Hoiberg's staff for the past five seasons as an assistant coach. | @HuskerMBB/X

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Nebraska Cornhuskers

Sometimes, the biggest offseason wins are the ones that keep key pieces in place.

While primarily that's meant for retaining roster pieces from year to year, after a historic season in which Nebraska men's basketball won the most games in program history, it carries over to the coaching staff as well.

Though Husker head coach Fred Hoiberg signed an extension earlier in March, head assistant Nate Loenser made a name for himself as well. And while his stock is far from on the decline, the Big Red managed to hang on to him a bit longer.

Finalists and Who Assumed the Role

Earlier this week, it was reported that Loenser was a finalist for the UNI head coaching job. Before it was finalized that he would not be selected for the role, he was one of three candidates reportedly selected to interview.

Reports suggest the Panthers' athletic department had narrowed its search to Loenser, Iowa State assistant coach Kyle Green, and current UNI assistant Seth Tuttle. The Cyclones assistant would go on to assume the role.

As deserved as it is for Loenser after the impact he had on the Husker basketball program in 2025-26, the news greets the fan base well. Even so, it is more than likely that this will not be the last position he interviews for before the start of next year.

Coaching History

After the 2025-26 season came to a close with the Big Red making it to the program's first-ever Sweet 16, Loenser finished up his 23rd season as a basketball coach. A large majority of those years were on Division I or professional teams.

It also marked the end of his fifth season in Lincoln working under Hoiberg's staff. In total, the two have now spent a decade together, overlapping stops at Iowa State, Nebraska, and the Chicago Bulls.

Loenser's trajectory and role have progressively increased during that time, in most cases directly following Hoiberg's path. Though he spent time as a high school coach, in both instances within the state of Iowa, NU's head assistant is now viewed as one of the top assistant coaches in all of college basketball.

Years

Team, Position

2021-Present

Nebraska, Assistant Coach

2017-2020

Chicago Bulls, Assistant Coach

2015-2016

Chicago Bulls, Video Coordinator

2014-2015

Iowa State, Director of Player Development

2013-2014

Iowa State, Graduate Assistant

2010-2013

Spirit Lake HS, Head Coach

2009-2010

Southern Mississippi, Director of Basketball Operations

2004-2009

Southern Mississippi, Assistant Coach

2003-2004

Northern University HS, Head Coach

Loenser's Impact While at Nebraska

In the five seasons Loenser has been on the Huskers staff, the program's stock has risen as high as it ever has. That is a direct compliment to the Iowa native's skill and versatility as a coach.

Per his Husker.com bio, "Loenser plays an extensive role in nearly every facet of the program, including leading the Huskers’ individual skill development programs, opponent scouting, game planning, and recruiting."

After helping his team go to heights never reached before in this year's NCAA Tournament, he seems to be more than formidable within his role. That is exactly why retaining him, for the time being, is no small victory for Hoiberg and company.

What It Means for the Huskers Moving Forward

NU's dream season came to a close following a 77-71 loss to rival Iowa in the Sweet 16. Regardless, Hoiberg and Loenser did something no other Nebraska coaching staff had ever done.

They also oversaw a program that recognized four players earn All-Conference nods following the regular season. Pryce Sandfort (First Team), Braden Frager (All-Freshman, Sixth Man of the Year), Sam Hoiberg (Honorable Mention, All-Defense), and Rienk Mast (Honorable Mention) all took their play to the next level in 2025-26 and rewarded themselves, along with their coaching staff, as a result.

And even though the Big Red are not out of the woods yet, keeping their defensive leader, Loenser, on staff would arguably be as big a win as any heading into next year.

What Nebraska Avoided, For Now

Again, under Hoiberg and Loenser's guidance, the program reached a new high for what Nebraska basketball was. Keeping him on the staff means the Huskers will have the ability to continue that momentum going in their favor heading into next year.

With his hand touching nearly every area of Nebraska's operation, from recruiting to defensive scheme, Loenser's retention or lack thereof has major implications on where the program goes from here.

With two 2026 signees set to join the roster this summer, and the NCAA transfer portal opening later this month, having one of the most sought-after assistant coaches within the sport back in Lincoln could set the Big Red up for continued success for years to come.

He'll Be a Head Coach at Some Point, and That's Fine

Though Hoiberg escaped having to replace Loenser for now, it won't be long before he truly does.

After 23 years of coaching experience and helping oversee the arguably biggest bang-for-your-buck season in college sports, Loenser is sure to be a hot commodity on the college basketball coaching carousel.

For Husker Nation, Loenser's retention is a big win at the time, and if it remains true heading into 2026-27, it could be the difference between continued ascension for the program and a one-off, "Cinderella".

Time will tell where his career path goes, but there won't be many in Lincoln complaining about the news surrounding UNI's coaching search. Loenser's time as a Division I head basketball coach is sure to come, but if the Big Red can hang on to him for one more year, it would be far from bad news.

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Trevor Tarr
TREVOR TARR

Trevor Tarr is the founder of Skers Scoop, a Nebraska football media outlet delivering original coverage through writing, graphics, and video content. He began his career in collegiate athletics at the University of South Dakota, producing media for the football team and assisting with athletic fundraising. A USD graduate with a background in journalism and sports marketing, Trevor focuses on creative, fan-driven storytelling in college football.

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