Huskers’ Fred Hoiberg named finalist for national coach of the year award

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) — A silver lining for Nebraska basketball after a tough loss to Iowa in the Sweet 16.

On Friday, Fred Hoiberg was named a finalist for the 2026 Werner Ladder Naismith men’s coach of the year award, presented to college basketball’s most outstanding coach.

Hoiberg joins Tommy Lloyd (Arizona), Dusty May (Michigan) and Jon Scheyer (Duke) as finalists for the award. 

Hoiberg guided Nebraska to its best season in school history as the Huskers finished with a 28-7 record and the school’s first NCAA Sweet 16 finish.

The winner will be announced Sunday, April 5, at the Naismith Awards brunch during the men’s Final Four in Indianapolis.