After starting the season 20-0, a program record start, Nebraska has gone just 2-4 in its last six games, something no one thought would happen. Head coach Fred Hoiberg was able to lead this team to a historic start, but since the close loss to Michigan, it feels like the wheels are falling off a bit for the Huskers.
Before Tuesday's game against Iowa, Nebraska had only fallen to ranked teams, but the Hawkeyes were the first unranked team to take down the Huskers. Hoiberg was clearly frustrated with the loss, and he showed it during the post-game handshake line.
Iowa took down No. 9 Nebraska in Iowa City for a big 57-52 upset that had the fans ready for a court storming. The students didn't waste any time getting onto the court after the final buzzer, which will certainly result in a fine for the university.
As Nebraska and Iowa went into their post-game handshakes, fans were running by the Huskers' coaching staff, a couple of them even trying to film Hoiberg up close, and a moment of frustration was caught on video. Hoiberg was filmed trying to slap the phone out of the hands of a fan, and instead made contact with an Iowa assistant coach on the back of the head.
The new angle below shows Hoiberg immediately apologizing to the coach and continuing to move through the line.
This is actually hilarious. Iowa assistant catching a stray from Hoiberg. 😳 https://t.co/X5hbmgxt1B
— Ray Ortega (@RayJOrtega) February 18, 2026
Fred Hoiberg is unable to keep his emotions in check in new angle of post game slap
The loss to Iowa is clearly frustrating for Hoiberg, and it is shown with him losing his temper in the handshake line. While fans shouldn't be getting in the face with an opposing head coach, Hoiberg needed to keep his emotions in check adn not lash out.
This will probably bring up the age-old discussion of the problems with court storming. Fans can't wait to get on the court with the team after a huge upset win, but they techincally supposed to wait until the refs and opposing team are off the court for the safety of everyone. This is a clear example of why it has to happen, as fans don't always know how to keep themselves in check, either.
Hoiberg shouldn't have lashed out, but he was also provoked after a tough loss when his team was in the middle of a slump. It is a bag look for Hoiberg and Nebraska, and just shows the current fall of Nebraska in a whole new way.
The Huskers will have to find a way to get past this slump soon, as the regular season is quickly ticking down and tournament play is almost upon us.