With the Lady Longhorns just a few wins from a national title, Head Coach Vic Schaefer is making headlines. Schaefer was named a finalist for the 2026 Werner Ladder Naismith Women’s College Coach of the Year on Wednesday. Each year, the award is given to the best coach in the nation.
Under the leadership of Schaefer, the Longhorns finished the regular season with a 33-3 overall record. They also claimed another SEC title before being named the No.1 seed in the NCAA Tournament. During March Madness, the Longhorns have continued to show why they are one of the best teams in the nation with wins over Missouri State and Oregon.
While the Longhorns have moved closer to winning a national title, Schaefer has etched his name into the history books. Texas won 30 games for the third straight season, the first time since 1988. That helped them secure the top seed in the tournament for the third straight season.
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Against some of the top teams in the nation, Schaefer has continued to get the best from his players. The Longhorns have 14 wins over ranked opponents, which is the most in the nation. Since taking over, Schaefer has led Texas to a 101-12 overall record.
For Schaefer, this is familiar territory. He is a two-time national coach of the year and five-time conference coach of the year. During his career, he has led teams to three Final Fours, including two national championship games.
Although the Longhorns’ head coach is focused on bringing a title to Austin, he will be watching how voting for this award plays out. He has built a compelling case with his team, showing no signs of slowing down.
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This article originally appeared on Longhorns Wire: Naismith Coach of Year names Texas coach Vic Schaefer finalist
