He left for Southern Mississippi after that year.

Now, he's leaving Southern Miss and could be coming back to Lincoln. Sadler went 101-87 in six seasons at the helm for NU, taking the Huskers to the NIT three times.

"After 16 years as a college head coach, it's time to evaluate what's next for me," Sadler said in the statement. "With a new athletic director in place and a talented young team, I feel the best days are ahead for Southern Miss basketball."

Sadler was fired after the 2011-12 season, Nebraska's first in the Big Ten, after NU went 12-18 and 4-14 in the conference. Beloved by the Nebraska fan base, Sadler finished with winning records in four of his six seasons on the Nebraska sideline. But he never finished above .500 in conference play.

He fits the mold of the defensive coach Hoiberg is looking for. Nebraska athletic director Bill Moos said last week Hoiberg was "in hot pursuit" of a defensive coach for his staff. Three of Sadler's Nebraska teams finished in the top 22 nationally in defensive efficiency and were also strong in keeping opponents off the offensive glass, according to data from KenPom.