LINCOLN, Neb. — The most decorated season in Nebraska men’s basketball history has reached a new pinnacle. On Friday, the Associated Press officially named Fred Hoiberg the National Coach of the Year, marking the first time a men’s coach in program history has received the prestigious 59-year-old award.
A Season of Firsts
In his seventh season at the helm, Hoiberg transformed the Huskers into a national powerhouse. Nebraska shattered the school record with 28 wins, secured its first-ever Sweet 16 appearance, and earned the first two NCAA Tournament victories in program history. After being picked to finish 14th in the Big Ten preseason poll, Hoiberg led the «Big Red» to a stunning second-place tie in one of the nation’s toughest conferences.
«The nation’s best resides in Lincoln,» the program shared via social media, celebrating a journey that saw the Huskers ranked in the Top 25 for a record 14 weeks, reaching as high as No. 5 nationally.
Rewriting the Record Books
The 2025-26 campaign was defined by consistency and dominance. The Huskers started the year with a blistering 20-0 run and set a program record with 24 consecutive wins spanning two seasons. Hoiberg is now just the 10th coach in Big Ten history to earn this AP honor and only the second Husker coach ever, joining women’s basketball legend Connie Yori (2010).
Looking Ahead
While Nebraska bids farewell to five seniors, including core starters Sam Hoiberg and Rienk Mast, the future remains bright. With First-Team All-Big Ten selection Pryce Sandfort and Big Ten Sixth Man of the Year Braden Frager expected to return, the «Hoiberg Era» has established a new standard of excellence in Lincoln. Hoiberg, already a two-time Big Ten Coach of the Year, remains a finalist for the Naismith Coach of the Year award, which will be announced this Sunday.