Welcome back to our series analyzing CBB coaching changes that took place this offseason. If you missed Part 1 last week, you can read it here. This week we look at four more programs that made a coaching adjustment this offseason, including Nebraska, Cincinnati, Arkansas, and UCLA.

Nebraska

Out: Tim Miles

In: Fred Hoiberg

Following the season-ending loss to TCU in the NIT, Nebraska relieved Head Coach Tim Miles of his duties. Miles spent 7 seasons as head coach and finished with an overall record of 116-114 (.504). Over 7 years, Miles led Nebraska to only one NCAA Tournament appearance (2013-14), and 3 seasons above .500. One of the toughest obstacles for Nebraska over the last 7 years was conference play. The Huskers joined the Big Ten prior to the 2011-2012 season, the year before Miles replaced Doc Sadler. Under Miles, Nebraska went 52-76 (.406) in the Big Ten. Last year, Nebraska started the season 13-4 and achieved a top-25 ranking. However, a 6-14 finish, including a 7-game losing streak spelled doom for Miles, and AD Bill Moos decided that the school needed to move in a different direction at head coach.

Shortly after releasing Miles, Nebraska landed their top target, Fred Hoiberg. Hoiberg was involved in rumors even before the Huskers finished the season, partly because of his ties to the school and the Big Ten. Hoiberg was born in Lincoln, and his grandfather was the NU head coach from 1954-1963. After a ten-year NBA career, Hoiberg coached at his alma mater Iowa State for 5 successful seasons. After four straight NCAA Tournament appearances, Hoiberg left the Cyclones to coach the Chicago Bulls, but the Bulls parted ways with him during their fourth season together. The hallmark of Hoiberg’s Iowa State teams was fast-paced, potent offense. The Cyclones were in the top 20 in Average Possession Length (APL) in all but one year under Hoiberg, averaging 15.68 seconds per possession. In comparison, Tim Miles’ teams averaged 18.1 seconds per possession. Hoiberg will need to improve the offense at Nebraska, after NU ranked 195th in the country in PPG and 255th in FG% last year. The Cornhuskers recently completed an unbeaten preseason trip to Italy, but a young, transfer-laden roster will likely make it tough for NU to be immediately competitive in the Big Ten.

Cincinnati

Out: Mick Cronin

In: John Brannen

After 13 seasons at Cincinnati, Mick Cronin decided in April to test the waters of the Pac-12 as the new head coach of UCLA. Cronin ranks second to only Bob Huggins in total wins for UC, accumulating a 296-146 (.670) record with the Bearcats. Cincinnati prepared to extend the Cincy native and UC grad, but UCLA offered a six-year, $24-million deal. Cincinnati appeared in the NCAA Tournament in each of the last 9 seasons under Cronin, and suffocating team defense was the root of much of his success. In the last 7 years, the Bearcats were top-20 in the nation in Opponent 2p% and top 15 in Block %. Last year, Cincy held opponents to 62.7 ppg, ranking 14th in the nation.

In order to replace Cronin, Cincinnati turned to John Brannen. Brannen spent the last four years as the head coach of Northern Kentucky, leading them to two NCAA Tournament appearances. Last year, Brannen’s squad won the Horizon League regular season and conference tournament titles before losing to national runner-up Texas Tech in the first round of the NCAA Tournament. Although their level of competition is not equal to that of a Power-5 school, Northern Kentucky graded out well last year. Brannen’s team went 26-9 and placed in the top 50 in PPG, FG%, and 3-pointers made. One of the main gripes during Cronin’s tenure at Cincinnati is that their recent regular season success has not translated into a deep run in March. The Bearcats have not made it to the Tournament’s second weekend since 2012’s loss to Ohio State. A non-conference schedule that includes games against Ohio State and Tennessee will test Brannen’s group early this season and they will look to avoid an early March exit.