Chase County’s Hauxwell among Nebraska high school coaches named as National Coach of the Year 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.
    Among those nominated is Chase County girls track Head Coach Troy Hauxwell.
    Hauxwell, who also won the award for the 2020-2021 season, said his goals are always about the process and building culture.
    “My goal is to teach life skills and life lessons. Awards are extra,” he said.
    Other nominees are 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; James Orcutt, golf, North Platte; Mark Watt, softball, Lincoln Southwest; Matt Wiemers, tennis, McCook; Sue Ziegler, bolleyball, Lincoln Lutheran; and Darin Garfield, wrestling, Central City.
    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 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.
    Hauxwell said it’s fun that Nebraska is hosting the national convention.
    While there, he’ll serve on a coaches panel with the other track finalist and take part in an interview to help choose the award’s recipient.
    It’s fun to hang out with other coaches and pick their brains, he added.
    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.
    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.