Fred Hoiberg, the head coach for Nebraska, explained that he swiped at an Iowa State fan’s cell phone after his team’s unexpected loss to the Hawkeyes earlier this week due to medical concerns.
After Iowa State’s 57-52 victory over Nebraska on Tuesday, Hoiberg found himself in the spotlight for his reaction toward fans recording the moment. He noted that he relies on a pacemaker, and interactions with cell phones can potentially disrupt the device.
“I’m completely reliant on my pacemaker,” Hoiberg shared with reporters on Friday. “I remember vividly my doctor telling me that with my phone, I can turn it off. But if something goes wrong, it could be serious. If my pacemaker fails, I won’t make it.”
Hoiberg expressed an acute awareness of the situation, stating, “If someone lunges at me with a cell phone, naturally, I’m going to respond.” He also mentioned that while it’s unlikely the pacemaker would malfunction, he hopes to avoid needing it altogether.
During the heated exchange, he unintentionally bumped into an Iowa staff member, for which he later apologized. “It was an intense moment,” he reflected. “As I was congratulating Iowa’s coaching crew, this kid came out of nowhere, and I just reacted.”
“Anyone in my shoes would have done the same in a game like that,” he added, trying to justify his actions.
Although Hoiberg understands the excitement surrounding fans rushing onto the court, he voiced his concerns about the risks to players and coaches. Iowa State has since issued an apology, acknowledging the security shortcomings during the incident.
“We regret this occurrence and plan to review our security procedures to enhance our protocols and make necessary adjustments to avoid similar situations in the future,” their statement read.
Looking ahead, Nebraska is set to face Penn State on Sunday.
