Nate Loenser

Nate Loenser (pronounced Lenzer) is in his sixth season with the Husker coaching staff and first as Associate Head Coach after being promoted to the position in May of 2026.

A former NBA assistant, Loenser plays an extensive role in nearly every facet of the program, including leading the Huskers’ individual skill development programs, opponent scouting, game planning and recruiting.  Loenser serves as NU’s defensive coordinator, as Nebraska has improved its defensive efficiency each of the past four years, ranking eighth in that category in 2025-26. NU led the Big Ten in scoring defense at 66.2 ppg while ranking in the top 25 nationally in both field goal and 3-point defense.

He has helped seven players earn All-Big Ten honors in his tenure, including Pryce Sandfort (2026), Sam Hoiberg (2026), Brice Williams (2025), Keisei Tominaga (2023-24), Rienk Mast (2024-26), Derrick Walker (2023) and Bryce McGowens (2022). In 2025-26, NU had three All-Big Ten honorees en route to a school-record 28-7 record and the program’s first-ever NCAA Sweet 16 appearance.

Loenser worked with NU Head Coach Fred Hoiberg at both Iowa State (2013-15) and with the Chicago Bulls (2015-18) before rejoining him in Lincoln in 2021. 

Loenser came to Lincoln after spending five seasons with the Bulls, including three seasons as an assistant coach for Hoiberg and Jim Boylen.  During his tenure with the Bulls, he worked with players such as Derrick Rose, Dwyane Wade, Pau Gasol, Jimmy Butler and Rajon Rondo.   His coaching emphasis was on the offensive end, while he also handled opponent scouting for select teams and worked extensively in player development. He helped develop two-time NBA all-star Zach Lavine as well as Kris Dunn, Ryan Arcidiacono, Justin Holiday, Chandler Hutchison, David Nwaba, Denzel Valentine and Timothé Luwawu-Cabarrot during his tenure with the Bulls. Loenser also served as the Bulls’ NBA Summer League coach in 2019, a roster which featured NBA Lottery pick Coby White and ran the Bulls’ pre-draft workouts for three seasons.

Prior to joining the Bulls coaching staff, he was the head coach of the Windy City Bulls D-League team in 2016-17, the franchise’s first season.  He had two members - Spencer Dinwiddie, Jarrell Eddie – earn NBA call ups. He also developed local tryout participant Alfonzo McKinnie, who made the D-League All-Star team in his season with he Windy City Bulls and was later called up by the Toronto Raptors and played in the NBA Finals with the Golden State Warriors. Loenser also coached NBA players on assignment, including Bobby Portis, Jake Layman, Cristiano Felício, Jerian Grant, Cameron Payne, Denzel Valentine, Paul Zipser, R.J. Hunter and Tim Quarterman.

Loenser spent two years on Hoiberg’s Iowa State staff and was a key component in helping the Cyclones to a pair of Big 12 Tournament titles. He was the Cyclones’ Director of Player Development in 2014-15, as ISU went 25-9 and tied for second in the Big 12. That season, Georges Niang earned All-America honors, while Niang, Monté Morris and Jameel McKay were recognized on the All-Big 12 teams. McKay was the Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year.

In his first season, Loenser served as graduate assistant as the program enjoyed one of its best seasons in program history.  The Cyclones finished with 28 wins, won the Big 12 Tournament title and reached the NCAA Sweet 16. ISU ranked in the top three nationally in scoring offense, assists per game and assist-to-turnover ratio.  Melvin Ejim and DeAndre Kane both earned All-America accolades for their efforts. At Iowa State, Loenser coach and helped develop future NBA players Georges Niang, Monte Morris, Nazareth Mitrou-Long, Matt Thomas, Abdel Nader, Bryce Dejean-Jones and Deonte Burton.

Loenser began his collegiate coaching career at Southern Mississippi. He served on Larry Eustachy’s staff for six seasons, helping the Golden Eagles post a pair of 20-win seasons and reach the CIT in 2010. He handled recruiting, opponent scouting and on-court coaching during his tenure at USM.

A native of Cedar Falls, Iowa, Loenser was a 2002 graduate of Iowa State, where he played baseball for the Cyclones in 2001. He was a four-sport athlete (baseball, basketball, football, and golf) at Northern University High School, as he fell two tackles shy of the school’s single-season record of tackles held by College Football Hall of Famer Trev Alberts.

He and his wife Jackie have three daughters, Delaney, Logan and Hadley.

Loenser at a Glance

Experience
Years	Team, Position
2026-present	Nebraska, Associate Head Coach
2021-26	Nebraska, Assistant Coach
2017-20	Chicago Bulls, Assistant Coach
2016-17	Windy City Bulls, Head Coach
2015-16	Chicago Bulls, Video Coordinator
2014-15	Iowa State, Director of Player Development
2013-14	Iowa State, Graduate Assistant
2010-13	Spirit Lake HS, Head Coach
2009-10	Southern Miss, Director of Basketball Operations
2004-09	Southern Miss, Assistant Coach
2003-04	Northern University HS, Head Coach
Playing Experience
2001	Iowa State (baseball)
Education
2002	Iowa State
Family
Wife:	Jackie
Children:	Delaney, Logan and Hadley