Fred Hoiberg, the head coach of Nebraska men's basketball, has been named a finalist for the prestigious 2026 Werner Ladder Naismith Men’s Coach of the Year award. This accolade is reserved for college basketball's most outstanding coach, and Hoiberg's inclusion highlights a remarkable season for the Huskers.
Joining Hoiberg in this elite group are Tommy Lloyd from Arizona, Dusty May of Michigan, and Duke's Jon Scheyer. Notably, Lloyd and Scheyer have each been in this position before, with Lloyd being a finalist in 2022 and Scheyer in 2025. However, this marks the first time for both Hoiberg and May.
Under Hoiberg's leadership, Nebraska has enjoyed a historic season, finishing with a 28-7 record and reaching the NCAA Sweet 16 for the first time in school history. The team set new records for total wins (28), conference victories (15), and road wins (seven). Impressively, the Huskers kicked off the season with a school-record 24-game win streak, securing a second-place finish in the Big Ten-their best in over 30 years.
The winner of this esteemed award will be announced on Sunday, April 5, at the Naismith Awards Brunch during the Men’s Final Four in Indianapolis. Fans can play a role in the decision through the Naismith Awards Fan Vote, which starts on March 27.
By visiting www.naismithfanvote.com, fans can cast their vote for their favorite finalist. The fan vote contributes 5% to the total, and voting is open until 12 p.m.
EDT on April 1, with a limit of one vote per day.
The selection of these finalists was conducted by the Atlanta Tipoff Club's national voting academy, a group comprising top journalists, current and former head coaches, previous award winners, and conference commissioners. Their choices reflect the outstanding performances witnessed during the 2025-26 college basketball season.