Nebraska Prep Coaches Named National Finalists

The National High School Athletic Coaches Association (NHSACA) and the Nebraska Coaches Association (NCA) announced the advancement of 12 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 2016-17 athletic seasons.  Two former Nebraska prep coaches will be honored by being inducted into the national high school coaching hall of fame as well.

Greg	Warneke	Boys’ Assistant		Pierce
Margo	LaBrie	Girls’ Assistant		Hampton
Bill	Fitzgerald	Athletic Director		Fremont
Bob	Greco	Baseball		Omaha Westside
Russ	Ninemire	Girls’ Basketball		Sandy Creek
Jim	Barker	Boys’Cross Country		Scottsbluff
Mimi	Ramsbottom	Golf		Elkhorn South
Jeff	Hoham	Soccer		Lincoln East
Steve	Kerkman	Softball		Millard South
Steve	Bischof	Tennis		Elkhorn South
Don	Perry	Boys’ Track & Field		York
Mindy	Reed	Girls’ Track & Field		Millard North
Diane	Rouzee	Volleyball		Northwest

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 in Sioux Falls, South Dakota on the evening of June 27, 2018. The highlight of the banquet will be the naming of the NHSACA national coach of the year in nineteen recognized sports categories.

All Nebraska coaches were nominated for this national honor by the Nebraska Coaches Association.  The selection is based on 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 a 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: Coaches Dan Moore of Ansley and the late Swede Hawkins of Oakland-Craig will be inducted into the national high school coaching hall of fame at the same NHSACA Convention.  Hall of Fame ceremonies will take place on June 26