McCook's Blume, Chase's Hauxwell among 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 2021-22 athletic seasons and had not retired more than two years prior. Two former Nebraska prep coaches will be honored by being inducted into the national high school coaching hall of fame as well.

Steve Throne Athletic Director Millard South

Steve Frey Baseball Millard West

Tim Cannon Boys' Basketball Millard North

Sam Jilka Boys' Cross Country Lexington

Mark Wortman Football Elkhorn High

Kristin Blume Girls' Assistant McCook

Scott Polacek Girls' Basketball Howells-Dodge

Troy Hauxwell Girls' Track and Field Chase County

James Orcutt Golf North Platte

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 27. 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 the following: 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: Two Nebraska legendary coaches and contributors Jon Appleget, Fremont and Jerry Bartee, Omaha 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 25.