Nebraska's Fred Hoiberg named AP men's basketball Coach of the Year

Fred Hoiberg of Nebraska has been named The Associated Press men’s basketball Coach of the Year after a breakthrough season for the Huskers.

AP-syndicated coverage said Friday’s honor follows Nebraska’s 28-win campaign, which included the program’s first NCAA Tournament victory and a Sweet 16 appearance. It is one of the most significant national coaching awards in college basketball.

Nebraska athletics had already been highlighting Hoiberg’s season as a historic one. The school said earlier this spring that Hoiberg had led the Huskers to the best season in program history and listed him as a finalist for the Werner Ladder Naismith Men’s Coach of the Year award.

The AP recognition adds another national accolade to a season that changed the profile of Nebraska basketball. Coverage around the award also noted that Hoiberg was in contention with other high-profile coaches, including Arizona’s Tommy Lloyd and Duke’s Jon Scheyer.

The award caps a season in which Nebraska moved from a successful Big Ten run to national relevance. For Hoiberg, it is a clear signal of how far the program advanced in 2025-26.