Story by NU Athletic Communications
Nebraska Men’s Basketball Head Coach Fred Hoiberg announced Tuesday that assistant coaches Nate Loenser, Ernie Zeigler and Pat Monaghan and general manager Luca Virgilio have signed multi-year contract extensions.
“The success our program had this year is really a testament to the efforts of our entire staff, and it is important to reward them for all of their work,” Hoiberg said. “The work they pour into our players is evident in their development in our program. Nate, Ernie and Luca have been vital over the last four years in helping us build a winning culture and enjoy sustained success that Nebraska basketball has not seen in a long time. Pat stepped in seamlessly and made a significant impact on our program with his work ethic and knowledge in recruiting. He is a rising star in the coaching field.”
Loenser, whose new title is Associate Head Coach, just completed his fifth season on the Husker staff. He coordinates the Huskers’ defense and leads the Huskers’ individual skill development programs. Last season, the Huskers ranked eighth nationally in defensive efficiency while leading the Big Ten in scoring defense at 66.2 points per game.
Zeigler is finishing his fourth season on the Husker staff and has helped Nebraska reach the postseason in three straight seasons for the first time in over a quarter of a century. He works with the Husker offense and plays a major role in game planning, scouting and recruiting. A longtime college assistant, Zeigler has been a part of 10 NCAA Tournament teams as an assistant coach during his career.
Monaghan, who joined the staff in April of 2025, assists in all areas of the program, including player development, game planning and recruiting. His efforts played a vital role in Nebraska winning a school-record 28 games and reaching the NCAA Sweet 16 for the first time in program history in 2025-26.
Virgilio is the longest-tenured member of Hoiberg’s staff and serves as the program’s general manager. In his role, Virgilio oversees and manages the composition of the roster and player acquisition, including high school and international players and transfer portal recruiting, as well as player evaluation and retention.