Nebraska's Fred Hoiberg Named AP Coach of the Year After Breakthrough Season

Hoiberg led the Cornhuskers to their first NCAA Tournament win and a Sweet 16 appearance.

Apr. 3, 2026 at 10:06pm

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A fragmented, geometric painting depicting the action and movement of a basketball game, with the players' forms broken down into overlapping planes of vibrant colors.A cubist interpretation of the energy and intensity of Nebraska's breakthrough basketball season under Coach Fred Hoiberg.Lincoln Today

Fred Hoiberg of Nebraska was named The Associated Press men's basketball coach of the year on Friday following a 28-win season that included the Cornhuskers' first NCAA Tournament win and a run to the Sweet 16. Hoiberg received 17 votes from a 61-person media panel, edging out Duke's Jon Scheyer and Arizona's Tommy Lloyd.

Why it matters

Hoiberg's award marks the first time a Big Ten coach has been named national coach of the year since Michigan's Juwan Howard in 2021. The recognition highlights Nebraska's emergence as a basketball powerhouse, overturning the perception of the school as solely a football program.

The details

Hoiberg built an exciting roster that played lockdown defense and ignited the Big Red fanbase's enthusiasm for the basketball program. Nebraska went to the NCAA Tournament for the first time in 10 years in 2024 and matched the school record of 26 wins before even reaching March Madness this season, with a school-record 15 wins in the tough Big Ten.

  • Hoiberg was named AP Coach of the Year on Friday, April 3, 2026.
  • Nebraska made its first NCAA Tournament appearance in 10 years in 2024.
  • The Cornhuskers matched the school record of 26 wins before the 2026 NCAA Tournament.

The players

Fred Hoiberg

The head coach of the Nebraska Cornhuskers men's basketball team, who was born in Lincoln and has deep family roots at the university.

Pryce Sandfort

A sharpshooting Iowa transfer who was a key player on the Cornhuskers' roster.

Rienk Mast

A versatile Dutch big man who contributed to Nebraska's success.

Sam Hoiberg

The senior point guard and Fred Hoiberg's son.

Cameron Boozer

The Duke freshman who was named the AP men's national player of the year.

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What they’re saying

“It took us some time to get here, but it was all about getting the right players in here, especially the ones that the fans could get behind.”

— Fred Hoiberg, Head Coach, Nebraska Cornhuskers

“When the sting does wear off, which it will at some point — maybe — these guys deserve a lot of credit for what they have done for Nebraska basketball.”

— Fred Hoiberg, Head Coach, Nebraska Cornhuskers

“This place means a lot to me.”

— Fred Hoiberg, Head Coach, Nebraska Cornhuskers

What’s next

Hoiberg and the Cornhuskers will look to build on their successful season and make another deep run in the 2027 NCAA Tournament.

The takeaway

Fred Hoiberg's AP Coach of the Year award underscores Nebraska's emergence as a basketball powerhouse, overcoming the school's reputation as solely a football program. Hoiberg's homecoming and the team's exciting style of play have ignited the Husker fanbase's enthusiasm for the basketball program.