Luca Virgilio has been named the new general manager of the Nebraska men’s basketball program, a significant hire that signals a strategic shift in how the Cornhuskers will approach recruiting, roster management, and program development. The position of general manager is a newly created role for Nebraska basketball, reflecting a broader trend across college basketball programs to modernize team operations by moving away from traditional coaching structures. Virgilio’s hiring underscores Nebraska’s commitment to evolving in a competitive and rapidly changing collegiate athletics landscape.
A native of Italy, Virgilio brings a diverse and international background to Lincoln, with extensive experience in both American college basketball and the European basketball circuit. Prior to joining Nebraska, he served as an assistant athletic director for basketball strategy at St. John’s University under head coach Rick Pitino. Before that, he spent several years at Iona College, where he played a key role in player evaluation, scouting, and program administration. His unique background includes stints working in the EuroLeague and with the Italian national team system, giving him a global perspective on talent acquisition and development.
At Nebraska, Virgilio will not serve as a traditional coach. Instead, his responsibilities will include overseeing recruiting operations, managing the transfer portal, handling name, image, and likeness (NIL) strategies, coordinating with analytics departments, and ensuring a streamlined approach to roster construction. This shift aligns with how college basketball programs are adapting to new realities: increased player movement, NIL influence, and the need for front-office-style leadership. Virgilio’s hiring is meant to relieve head coach Fred Hoiberg and his staff from many administrative burdens, allowing them to focus more on coaching and player development.
Athletic Director Trev Alberts and Coach Hoiberg have both emphasized that the general manager role is about efficiency and innovation. Alberts noted that the demands of managing a college basketball team today resemble those of professional teams more than ever, especially with the explosion of the transfer portal and the evolving NIL marketplace. Virgilio’s skill set, which blends basketball knowledge with organizational and strategic expertise, makes him uniquely suited to lead Nebraska through this transition.
The addition of Virgilio is expected to enhance Nebraska’s competitiveness in the Big Ten and nationally. By centralizing off-court operations under a dedicated general manager, the program hopes to identify and secure talent more effectively, both domestically and internationally. Virgilio’s international connections may also open doors for overseas recruitment, a relatively untapped area for many college programs.
Nebraska’s move reflects a broader trend in college athletics, where programs are borrowing structures from professional sports to remain competitive. With Virgilio’s appointment, Nebraska positions itself as a forward-thinking program ready to adapt and thrive in the new era of college basketball.
