Nebraska Basketball: The Return of Tim Miles and What the Choice Means

Tim Miles will return to coach the Nebraska basketball team for at least one more year, that much we know for sure. However, was it the right call and if so, why?

More: The Debate About Tim Miles’ Future

Considering the potential for upheaval in the locker room as a result of Miles’ retention along with other potential negative impact, as a result, was keeping him in Lincoln really the way to go? The Husker Corner crew chimes in:

Brandon Cavanaugh: After the loss to Penn State, I found myself fine with whatever Shawn Eichorst wanted to do. If he had a list of five guys that he felt might have a legitimate interest in taking on the challenge of taking Nebrasketball to the Big Dance, so be it.

The main concern I had before Eichorst’s decision and will continue to have until it’s been largely settled is the potential for transfers. Jordy Tshimanga addressed this immediately following the early Big Ten Tournament loss.

"“I would’ve definitely reconsidered my options if it wasn’t him at the head coach position,” said Tshimanga in regards to a potential release of Miles."

Ultimately, I like the foundation that’s been set and the youth that comes back has been exciting to watch. If Miles is able to keep most (if not all) of it in Lincoln, I think he can — and should be expected to — do big things. If not, it gives Eichorst one more year to feel out the hiring process and go from there.

If there’s any group of fans that know how to take punishment and come back for more, it’s Nebraska basketball fans.

Frank Soukup: Honestly, this could have gone either way. I think that this is likely the right choice, because unless Eichorst could have gone out and gotten a home-run hire like Fred Hoiberg or Mark Gottfried, then there is little chance he would have gotten another coach with credentials.

Miles took the Huskers to the NCAA Tournament just three years ago, and if you fire a coach that soon after taken a bottom-dweller to the Big Dance, you’re not going to get a proven coach.

Granted, this season didn’t end the way that most would have liked, but this team full of primarily freshmen and sophomores went through the fire of one of the toughest schedules in the country and grew along the way. Next year is definitely a “prove it” year for Miles, though.

Kraig Lundberg: Eichorst absolutely made the right decision. I was strongly against moving on from Miles this year. You can see some more detailed reasoning here, but I’ll reiterate a few points.

Miles has one of the most difficult jobs NCAA basketball has to offer. The Nebraska basketball team is a historically bad program that has struggled in essentially every way. In spite of those inherent challenges, Miles has stocked his roster with a remarkable amount of talent.