Fred Hoiberg (head coach of the University of Nebraska) has been named the Associated Press men's basketball coach of the year after leading the Cornhuskers to an impressive 28-win season. This achievement included the team's first NCAA Tournament victory, where they defeated Troy 76-47, and advanced to the Sweet 16. Hoiberg, who received 17 votes from a media panel, became the first Big Ten coach to win this award since Juwan Howard of Michigan in 2021. Under Hoiberg's guidance, Nebraska matched its school record with 26 wins before the NCAA Tournament and achieved a school-record 15 wins in the competitive Big Ten Conference. Hoiberg, a Nebraska native with strong family ties to the university, expressed pride in revitalizing the basketball program, which had been largely overshadowed by football. The Cornhuskers' successful season marks a significant turnaround from Hoiberg's early years as coach, where the team struggled with a combined 7-45 record in his first two seasons. His leadership has instilled excitement among fans and players alike, positioning Nebraska as a competitive force in college basketball.