Rosalie Hayenga-Hostikka Named 2026 NJCAA DIII Women's Basketball Coach of the Year
Charlotte, NC – First a two-time National Champion, now a two-time Coach of the Year. Rosalie Hayenga-Hostikka of Minnesota West has been named the 2026 NJCAA Division III Women's Basketball Coach of the Year.
While serving at the helm for the last 11 years, Hayenga-Hostikka has led the Lady Jays basketball team to two National Championship Titles in three years, their first title coming in 2024 and most recently this year in 2026. Hayenga-Hostikka's leadership led Minnesota West to brand new heights this season as the Lady Jays broke program records and led the nation in many different categories. They finished the season with a 26-5 record and a 15 game-winning streak as well as a win percentage of .839. The Lady Jays led the nation in points per game with 82.5, as well as assists per game with 20.6 and FT made per game with 15.9. This domination from Minnesota West resulted in them being at the top of the National Rankings the majority of the season.
"It is a true honor to be named National Coach of the Year. I believe it is a testament to the players who have believed in our program and have been willing to sacrifice some of their individual accolades for the team's success," Hayenga-Hostikka said. "They are the reason I am receiving this award, and I feel extremely fortunate to have the opportunity to coach and make a difference at this level."
The Lady Jays had an incredible run in the 2026 National Championship. They entered the tournament as the #1 seed, earning a first round bye. They cruised through the quarterfinals to reach the final four, where they fought their way to a seat in the title game. They overtook the #2 seed, Anoka-Ramsey, in a competitive match-up to earn the National Title with a score of 51-41.
Hayenga-Hostikka's passion for the program runs deep and is etched in the history of Minnesota West. Before coaching, she was a stand-out student-athlete with the Lady Jays. She left her mark on the program as she is the all-time leader in assists and 6th all-time leading scorer in Minnesota West Women's Basketball history. After leading the Lady Jays to the State Championship in 1992, she was named the Women's Basketball Coaches Association National Player of the Year that same season.
The impact made by Hayenga-Hostikka has been significant, both as a player and now as an esteemed coach. Both her leadership and tenacity has led to great success with the Minnesota West Women's Basketball Program. Hayenga-Hostikka has cultivated a culture of diligence and teamwork that will continue to take the Lady Jays to new heights as they seek out another National Title in the coming year.
