Fred Hoiberg Named AP National Coach of the Year

Nebraska men's basketball coach earns prestigious honor after historic 2025-26 season.

Apr. 3, 2026 at 5:08pm

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A cubist-style painting depicting a basketball game broken down into sharp, overlapping geometric shapes in vibrant colors, capturing the dynamic energy and strategic complexity of the sport.Hoiberg's strategic leadership and the Huskers' collective effort have shattered expectations, redefining the landscape of college basketball.Lincoln Today

Fred Hoiberg, the head coach of the Nebraska men's basketball team, has been named the Associated Press National Coach of the Year for the 2025-26 season. Hoiberg led the Huskers to their best season in program history, with a 28-7 record and the school's first-ever NCAA Sweet 16 appearance.

Why it matters

This is a landmark achievement for the Nebraska men's basketball program, which has struggled to find consistent success in the past. Hoiberg's recognition as the nation's top coach underscores the remarkable turnaround he has engineered and the bright future for Huskers basketball.

The details

Under Hoiberg's leadership, Nebraska set single-season records for wins (28), conference wins (15), and conference road wins (7). The team opened the year by winning their first 20 games, part of a school-record 24-game win streak dating back to the previous season. Despite being picked to finish 14th in the Big Ten preseason poll, Nebraska tied for second in the conference with a 15-5 record, the program's best conference finish in over three decades.

  • Hoiberg will receive the AP National Coach of the Year award on Friday in Indianapolis at the Final Four.
  • Nebraska finished the 2025-26 season with a 28-7 record, the best in program history.
  • The Huskers made their first-ever NCAA Tournament Sweet 16 appearance in 2025-26.

The players

Fred Hoiberg

The head coach of the Nebraska men's basketball team, who led the Huskers to their best season in program history in 2025-26.

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What they’re saying

“The nation's best resides in Lincoln.”

— Nebraska Athletics

What’s next

Hoiberg and the Huskers will look to build on their historic 2025-26 season and continue their upward trajectory in the coming years.

The takeaway

Fred Hoiberg's recognition as the AP National Coach of the Year is a testament to his ability to transform the Nebraska men's basketball program into a national contender. The Huskers' breakthrough season has set the stage for sustained success and has the community buzzing with excitement for the future of the program.