Hoiberg on Naismith Men's College Coach of the Year Watch List
Nebraska men’s basketball coach Fred Hoiberg was honored Friday, as he was one of 15 coaches on the 2026 Werner Ladder Naismith Men's College Coach of the Year Watch List Presented by AXIA Time. The award is presented by the Atlanta Tipoff Club.
Hoiberg has guided Nebraska to one of its most successful seasons in school history in 2025-26 after the team was picked 14th in the Big Ten by the media at the start of the season. The Huskers are 22-4 on the season and ranked ninth nationally entering Saturday’s game with Penn State. NU has spent the last 10 weeks in the poll, including a school-record seven straight weeks in the top 10. NU reached its highest ranking ever on Jan. 26, moving to fifth in the AP poll.
Earlier this season, Nebraska set a school record with 24 straight wins and a 20-0 start, including wins at nationally ranked Illinois and Penn State. The 22 wins ties for third in school history with wins, and Hoiberg has guided Nebraska to three straight 20+ win seasons. Nebraska’s 11 wins in conference play is also two shy of a school mark.
Hoiberg is one of four Big Ten coaches on the 15-man list, including Tom Izzo (Michigan State), Dusty May (Michigan) and Brad Underwood (Illinois).
The Huskers return to action on Saturday afternoon when Nebraska hosts Penn State. Tipoff is at 1 p.m. and the game will be televised by BTN and carried on the Huskers Sports Network.