Nebraska men’s basketball games will have a new voice on the Huskers Radio Network beginning this season.
Multiple sources confirmed to HuskerOnline on Friday that color analyst Jake Muhleisen has stepped down from his position after seven seasons. The former NU point guard (2001-05) and three-year team captain joined legendary play-by-play man Kent Pavelka in October 2018.
According to sources, Jeff Smith, a former Nebraska assistant coach and longtime Lincoln Southeast head coach, will replace Muhleisen on the broadcast.
Husker fans have long endeared Pavelka and Muhleisen’s unique and humorous chemistry on the air. However, family and other professional obligations led to Muhleisen moving on from his analyst role.
The good news for NU fans is that Smith brings a wealth of basketball knowledge and experience to HSN’s airwaves. He served seven seasons as an assistant coach under Danny Nee before taking over at Southeast in 1997.
Smith retired from LSE in 2017 after leading the Knights to a 324-153 record with 13 state tournament berths and two state championship final appearances. He ended his career as the all-time winningest coach in program history.
Coincidentally, Smith also coached Muhleisen at Southeast from 1997 to 2001.
Smith’s color analyst debut will likely be during Nebraska’s exhibition opener against BYU at Pinnacle Bank Arena on Saturday, Oct. 18.