CHICAGO _ Former Bulls coach Fred Hoiberg is finalizing a deal to be Nebraska's head coach, a source confirmed.
Hoiberg, whom the Bulls fired in early December, is expected to be introduced at a news conference in Lincoln, Neb., early next week, a source said.
The pending agreement has no bearing on Jim Boylen's future as Bulls coach, a source said.
The Bulls are scheduled to pay Hoiberg $5 million next season, but the contract has offset language that will lessen that amount depending on what Nebraska pays him. One source said negotiations centered on a seven-year deal worth $25 million to $28 million.
In light of Hoiberg's imminent hiring, some speculation immediately surfaced that the Bulls, who now will only owe Hoiberg roughly $1.5 million, may look to eat that money and Boylen's remaining salary for next season and look for a new coach. But nothing has changed as far as management's and ownership's positive view of Boylen's teaching habits in practice and holding players accountable, which executive vice president John Paxson detailed on Feb. 7.
"When you're in it every day with someone, you find out who they are," Paxson said that day. "And one thing we're really pleased about _ and we talk to Jim about this because we're such a young team _ is just the teaching component of the game to our guys consistently every day. That first week with the whole Boston game, that was a bad way to start. But when you're in it with him every day, you see his passion, his commitment, and the care he has for his players and our organization. So we feel he's doing the right things.
"He's trying to get our guys to understand what being a professional is and to play hard every night and practice hard every day. We're doing fine with Jim. Jim's been great in terms of communicating every single day. We're on a good page there."
In that same Feb. 7 media session, Paxson added the Bulls' stance on retaining Boylen "has nothing to do with money." With Hoiberg and Boylen under contract through next season, the Bulls would have to pay three coaches if they made a change.
Hoiberg took Iowa State, his alma mater, to four NCAA Tournaments and one Sweet 16 appearance and won two Big 12 Tournament titles before replacing Tom Thibodeau as Bulls coach in June 2015. He endured three-plus seasons of roster upheaval and stylistic challenges during his Bulls tenure, which featured one playoff appearance and a 115-155 record.
Hoiberg's first preference was to continue coaching at the NBA level. But Hoiberg has strong ties to Nebraska. His grandfather, Jerry Bush, coached there from 1954-63.
Hoiberg will replace Tim Miles, who was fired after Nebraska lost in the NIT.
Boylen, who replaced Hoiberg with the Bulls, said he hadn't heard of official confirmation of Hoiberg's job, which has been rumored for weeks.
"I haven't spoken with Fred about it. I do have a lot of close friends in college basketball. Everyone thinks it's a great fit for him," Boylen said. "I know he'll do a great job there. And he's in the Big Ten, which is cool."
