Hoiberg confirms assistant Adam Howard's departure, talks priorities in next hire
On Monday, On3’s Pete Nakos reported that Nebraska assistant coach Adam Howard was leaving the Huskers after three seasons to join Will Wade’s staff at North Carolina State.
NU head coach Fred Hoiberg confirmed that news on Wednesday.
“You know, I’m really thankful for Adam,” Hoiberg said. “This was a great opportunity for him, with his family in that area of the country, that he just couldn’t pass up on. I talked to Adam about it. He loved it here. Absolutely loved it. It was a very hard decision for him. He loves the guys and did a lot of really good things for us, and we all wish Adam nothing but the best.”
Howard joined Hoiberg’s staff in 2022 after serving four seasons as an assistant at South Alabama.
He was known for his background as a defensive coach and transfer portal recruiting connections. Howard attended the 2023 and 2024 TopConnect Basketball Symposiums, which host some of the nation’s top assistant coaches.
Hoiberg will now look to hire a seventh assistant coach going into his seventh season in Lincoln.
NU recruiting coordinator Padyn Borders will fill Howard’s on-court and bench coaching roles at the College Basketball Crown.
Hoiberg will prioritize fit, development, and recruiting in next hire
The rapidly evolving landscape of the transfer portal era has changed some of the hallmarks of an ideal assistant coach.
However, fitting Nebraska’s culture and on-court development will remain top priorities in its search for Howard’s replacement.
Hoiberg admitted juggling an assistant coaching search, portal recruiting, and preparing for the College Basketball Crown wouldn’t be easy. He expects to evaluate several potential candidates but also has a clear idea of what he wants.
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“Yeah, it’s not ideal as far as the timing of it,” Hoiberg said. “But that’s the other thing that we’re working on, is trying to make sure that we will that spot with somebody that can help us in all areas… It’s been the initial stages of putting a list together and making sure we find the right guy to come in here and have connections and help us get the right players in this program.
“Development on the court – that’s been a big part of our program since I’ve been here and since I’ve been in coaching. So, to have somebody that’s well-rounded, that can do a lot of things. We’re going to look at a lot of different guys for that position and do everything we can to make the right hire.
Nebraska won’t rush finding its next assistant
Nebraska has some significant shoes to fill on its roster for next season. That makes it critical to have a complete staff to recruit the portal.
However, Hoiberg said he wouldn’t rush his process of finding the ideal fit.
“It’s got to be somebody that fits with what we’re trying to with the culture of the program,” Hoiberg said. “At the same time, somebody that can help bring the right players onto this team. So, yes, it is important, the timing of it, but also somebody that fits with who we are and what we do and the culture that we’ve established.”
