Husker Corner
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Nebraska Basketball makes right move with addition to coaching staff

By Danny Jaillet

DETROIT, MI - DECEMBER 21: Assistant coach Nate Loenser of the Chicago Bulls talks with players during the second half of a game against the Detroit Pistons at Little Caesars Arena on December 21, 2019, in Detroit, Michigan. 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 Duane Burleson/Getty Images)
DETROIT, MI - DECEMBER 21: Assistant coach Nate Loenser of the Chicago Bulls talks with players during the second half of a game against the Detroit Pistons at Little Caesars Arena on December 21, 2019, in Detroit, Michigan. 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 Duane Burleson/Getty Images) /
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As many of you know, Nebraska basketball made a staff addition earlier this week with the hiring of Nate Loenser. Let me start by saying, this is a very good hire. It’s a good hire for several reasons.

For one, Fred Hoiberg adds a coach that he is familiar with. Loenser worked with Hoiberg while the latter was at Iowa State and also with the Chicago Bulls. Secondly, when you take a look at the players that he developed just with the Chicago Bulls alone, I like his potential for the Nebraska basketball program

The players most Loenser developed include names like Zach Levine, Kris Dunn, and Denzel Valentine. Say what you want about their NBA careers at the moment, but Levine was an All-Star recently. While at Iowa State,  he helped develop Georges Niang.  Niang has had a good career in his own right. Loenser has a proven record of helping players take their talents to the next level. This is exactly what Nebraska basketball needs. Especially with the talented 2021 class coming in, the program needs somebody who can help the players take their game to the next level.

Loenser seems like the right guy to help Nebraska basketball program get the most out of this group of players coming in. This is a special group, and they need coaches on the staff that can help them understand their full potential. Now in year three, this coaching staff needs to show that they can get this basketball program to take the next step. Given the group of players coming in as well as those on the roster, this could be an achievable goal.

As noted in a report by Michael Bruntz of 247Sports, Loenser focused on the offensive side of things. Given the explosive talents of this team and the fast tempo this team runs, that could be ideal. The offensive-first strategy could play to their strengths. I like the sound of this for sure.

For his part, Hoiberg talked about why he made this hire earlier in the week.

"“This is the third time I had a chance to add Nate to my staff and believe that he is the best player development guy I have worked with,” Hoiberg said in a release. “He was a valuable member of our staff that won a pair of Big 12 Tournament titles in Ames. In Chicago, he did a remarkable job with our G League team in its first season, as we had more than a dozen players recalled or sign with other NBA teams. He has earned the respect of players around the league because of his ability to relate with players, and to help them reach their goals. We are pleased to welcome Nate and his family to Lincoln.”"

With the amount of explosive talent coming into the program, Nebraska basketball needed a coach who can develop players. Loenser is the guy to do the job. I can’t wait to see how he leaves his fingerprints on the program.

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