Hoiberg Earns Spot as Naismith Coach of the Year Finalist at Nebraska
Nebraska men’s basketball coach Fred Hoiberg has been recognized as a finalist for the prestigious 2026 Werner Ladder Naismith Men’s Coach of the Year award. The announcement came on Friday, highlighting Hoiberg’s impressive achievements this season.
Hoiberg Among Finalists for Prestigious Award
Joining Hoiberg in the race for the award are three other significant figures in college basketball: Tommy Lloyd from Arizona, Dusty May from Michigan, and Jon Scheyer from Duke. Notably, this marks the first time both Hoiberg and May have been honored as finalists.
Nebraska’s Historic Season
Under Hoiberg’s leadership, Nebraska achieved remarkable milestones this season. The Huskers finished with a stunning 28-7 record, which stands as the best in the program’s history. Their performance secured the team’s first-ever Sweet 16 appearance in the NCAA tournament.
- Wins: 28 (school record)
- Conference Wins: 15
- Conference Road Wins: 7
- 20+ Game Wins: First 20 games won (part of a 24-game win streak)
- Big Ten Finish: 2nd place, best in over 30 years
Upcoming Announcement and Voting
The winner of the 2026 Werner Ladder Naismith Men’s Coach of the Year award will be revealed on April 5. The announcement will take place during the Naismith Awards Brunch, held at the Indiana Roof Ballroom in Indianapolis.
Fans also have a stake in determining the winner through the Naismith Awards Fan Vote. Starting March 27, fans can cast their votes at naismithfanvote.com. Voting will conclude at 12 p.m. EDT on April 1, with participants allowed to vote once per day. The fan vote will contribute 5% to the total selection process.
The finalists were selected by the Atlanta Tipoff Club’s national voting academy, which comprises prominent journalists, head coaches, and commissioners. Their choices are based on exceptional on-court performances during the 2025-26 college basketball season.
