Fred Hoiberg
About the speaker
Fred Hoiberg serves as the head men’s basketball coach at the University of Nebraska. He is a basketball savant, with experience spanning over three decades as player, executive, and coach.
Leading the league in 3-point shooting percentage during his final NBA... More
Fred Hoiberg serves as the head men’s basketball coach at the University of Nebraska. He is a basketball savant, with experience spanning over three decades as player, executive, and coach.
Leading the league in 3-point shooting percentage during his final NBA season with the Minnesota Timberwolves, Hoiberg was forced to abruptly end his playing career at the age of 32 after being diagnosed with an aortic aneurysm that required open-heart surgery. A shocking revelation, Hoiberg quickly parlayed his NBA experience into an illustrious career off the court. Transitioning to the Assistant GM and VP of Basketball Operations for the Timberwolves, after four seasons Hoiberg returned to his alma mater as head coach of the Iowa State men’s basketball team. Inheriting a program that had not finished with a winning record or made the NCAA Tournament in five years, Hoiberg led a resurgence en route to becoming the greatest coach in ISU history. Over his five seasons, the Cyclones posted a 115-56 record alongside a program record four consecutive NCAA tournament appearances and back-to-back Big 12 Tournament titles in 2014 and 2015.
Hoiberg left an indelible mark off the court in the city of Ames, participating in a multitude of charities that aimed to bring awareness towards heart-related disorders. After determining that he needed to have a second open-heart surgery to replace an aortic valve in 2015, Hoiberg raised $15,000 for the American Heart Association by participating in the INFINITI Coaches’ Charity Challenge. He received the second most votes in a March Madness pool of 48 different coaches’ charities to support the donation. Hoiberg is a member of the ISU Hall of Fame, where his No. 32 jersey is retired in recognition of his many athletic and academic accolades as a four-year starter on the men’s basketball team.
Hoiberg left Iowa State in 2015 to join the Chicago Bulls as the head coach, where he won over 40 games twice in three years with a trip to the playoffs.
Fred and his wife, Carol, are high school sweethearts. The couple has four children: Paige, Jackson, and twins Sam and Charlie.
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