Nebraska Extends Head Coach Fred Hoiberg's Contract

Hoiberg's new deal includes a $5.5 million annual salary and performance incentives.

Published on Mar. 9, 2026

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The University of Nebraska has extended the contract of head men's basketball coach Fred Hoiberg, keeping him with the Cornhuskers program through at least the 2030-31 season. Hoiberg's new deal includes an annual base salary starting at $5 million that increases by $100,000 each year, reaching $5.5 million by the end of the contract. The contract also includes performance incentives for winning the Big Ten regular season or tournament title, as well as reaching certain NCAA Tournament milestones.

Why it matters

Hoiberg has steadily built the Nebraska basketball program over the past seven seasons, taking them from a struggling team to a Top 10 nationally ranked squad expected to make a deep NCAA Tournament run this year. Retaining Hoiberg's services long-term is a major win for the university and signals their commitment to continuing to invest in and grow the men's basketball program.

The details

Hoiberg's new contract extension will keep him at Nebraska through the 2030-31 season. His base salary will start at $5 million per year on April 1, 2026 and increase by $100,000 annually, reaching $5.5 million by the end of the deal. The contract also includes performance incentives, such as $100,000 for winning the Big Ten regular season title, $150,000 for winning the Big Ten Tournament, and up to $500,000 in NCAA Tournament bonuses depending on the team's success.

  • Hoiberg is in his seventh season as Nebraska's head coach.
  • The Cornhuskers concluded the 2025-26 regular season with a 26-5 record and are currently ranked No. 9 in the country.
  • Hoiberg's previous contract had him earning $4.35 million in the 2025-26 season.

The players

Fred Hoiberg

The head coach of the Nebraska Cornhuskers men's basketball team, who has steadily built the program into a national contender over the past seven seasons.

Troy Dannen

The athletic director at the University of Nebraska, who praised Hoiberg's leadership and the program's progress under his tenure.

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What they’re saying

“'Fred Hoiberg is a tremendous representative of the University of Nebraska, the Lincoln community, and our state. We are extremely proud that he will continue to lead the Nebraska men's basketball program well into the future.'”

— Troy Dannen, Nebraska Athletic Director (on3.com)

What’s next

The Cornhuskers are expected to be a 3-seed in the upcoming NCAA Tournament, where they will look to finally win their first tournament game in program history under Hoiberg's leadership.

The takeaway

Nebraska's extension of Fred Hoiberg's contract demonstrates the university's commitment to building a nationally competitive men's basketball program. Hoiberg's steady progress has the Cornhuskers poised for postseason success, and the new deal provides stability and resources to continue that upward trajectory.