(Exira) The National High School Athletic Coaches Association announced today that Exira/EHK Head Coach Tom Petersen advanced as a finalist for the 2026 National High School Athletic Coaches Association National Coach of the Year in the sport of girls’ basketball.
Eight finalists from across the nation will be honored during The National Coach of the Year Awards Banquet, which will take place at the National High School Athletic Coaches Association’s national convention at the Hyatt Regency Hotel and Conference Center in Coralville, IA, on the evening of July 1, 2026. The highlight of the banquet will be the naming of the NHSACA National Coach of the Year across 19 recognized sports categories.
The state’s high school coaches association nominated Coach Tom Petersen for this national honor. This selection was based on longevity, service to high school athletics, honors, championship years, and winning percentage.
The nominees and finalists are evaluated by experts in coaching using a sport-specific rubric to assign points in each category.
The National High School Athletic Coaches Association is the nation’s oldest coaches’ association, formed by coaches, for coaches, and has recognized national coaches of the year since 1978.
(Photo: Courtesy of Jeff Blankman – Carroll Broadcasting)
