The National High School Athletic Coaches Association (NHSACA) and the Nebraska Coaches Association (NCA) announced the advancement of 13 coaches and an athletic director as finalists for the National High School Athletic Coaches Association national coach of the year. The nominations were based on each coach’s career accomplishments through the 2018-19 athletic seasons. Two former Nebraska prep coaches will be honored by being inducted into the national high school coaching hall of fame as well.
Mark Armstrong- Athletic Director- Lincoln Southwest
Beth McMahon- Boys Assistant- Fremont
Duane Mendlik- Boys Basketball- Wisner-Pilger
Sean McMahon- Boys Cross Country- Fremont
Dave Sellon- Boys Track & Field- Fremont
Aaron Losing- Girls Basketball- Crofton
Todd Nott- Girls Cross Country- Plattsmouth
Sue Ziegler- Girls Track & Field- Lincoln Lutheran
Jim Danson- Golf Lincoln- Southwest
Lindsay Aliano- Soccer- Elkhorn South
Todd Petersen- Softball- Papillion-LaVista
Leigh Ann Fetter-Witt- Swimming & Diving -Lincoln Southwest
Alan VanCura -Volleyball- Hastings St. Cecilia
Norm Manstedt- Wrestling- High Plains
Eight finalists from across the nation, in nineteen recognized sports categories will be honored during the National Coach of the Year Awards Banquet which will take place at the NHSACA’s national convention (merged with the annual NCA Multi-Sports Clinic) in Lincoln, Nebraska on the evening of July 23. The highlight of the banquet will be the naming of the NHSACA national coach of the year in each sports category.
All Nebraska coaches were nominated for this national honor by the Nebraska Coaches Association. The selection is based on career longevity, service to high school athletics, honors, championship years, and winning percentage. The nominees and finalists are evaluated by experts in the field of coaching using sport-specific rubrics to assign points in each category. NHSACA is the oldest coaches association in the nation formed by coaches, for coaches, and has been recognizing national coaches of the year since 1978.
NATIONAL HALL OF FAME: NCA Past Presidents Jeff Bellar and Dan Keyser will be inducted into the national high school coaching hall of fame at the same NHSACA Convention. Hall of Fame ceremonies will take place in Lincoln on July 22.
