LONGMONT, Colo. - As the dust settles on the 2025-2026 collegiate basketball landscape, the state of Colorado has witnessed a historic year on the hardwood. From the high-altitude dominance in Grand Junction to the revitalized culture in Pueblo, two leaders have emerged as the standard-bearers of coaching excellence.
The Colorado Collegiate Chronicle is proud to announce its top coaching honors for the season. In determining the top two coaches when reviewing both men and women candidates, the Colorado Collegiate Chronicle used Chrome Gemini to make the selections.
Colorado Men's & Women's Collegiate Coach of the Year: Taylor Wagner (Colorado Mesa)
Taylor Wagner
While the "Coach of the Year" conversation often gravitates toward the Division I ranks, Taylor Wagner's campaign at Colorado Mesa University was impossible to ignore. In a season that rewrote the record books for the entire state, Wagner led the Mavericks to a staggering 37-2 record.
The Mavericks didn't just win; they dominated. Under Wagner's direction, Mesa:
Achieved Perfection in the RMAC: Going a flawless 20-0 in conference play. The Mavericks have now won 38-straight RMAC games.
Captured Hardware: Sweeping both the RMAC regular-season and tournament titles.
Made History: Advancing to the program's first-ever NCAA Division II Final Four in Pittsburgh.
Wagner's defensive masterclass—finishing the year with the #6 scoring defense in the nation—proved that "Defense Wins Championships." For guiding the Mavericks to the winningest season in Colorado collegiate history, Taylor Wagner is the undisputed Coach of the Year for both men and women.
Men's & Women's Turnaround Coach of the Year: Zach Ruebesam (CSU Pueblo)
Zach Ruebesam
In Pueblo, the narrative was about more than wins; it was about restoring a legacy. In his first season at the helm of the Pack,
Zach Ruebesam earned the "Turnaround Coach of the Year" honor by orchestrating a 10-win improvement for the ThunderWolves.
Inheriting a program coming off a 12-16 season, Ruebesam injected a new level of discipline and energy into Massari Arena.
The Leap: Led the Pack to a 22-8 record, the most wins by a first-year head coach in CSU Pueblo history. With a 15-5 RMAC record, Ruebesam's squad posted the school's most league victories since the 2016-2017 season.
Defense First: True to the program's previous-era roots, Ruebesam's squad boasted the best scoring defense in the RMAC (64.2 ppg) and ranked 11th in NCAA Division II.
Postseason Return: Secured the program's first 20-win season and hosted a postseason game for the first time in nearly a decade.
Ruebesam's ability to immediately transform the ThunderWolves into a regional contender has set the stage for a new golden era of basketball in the Steel City.
By the Numbers: A Season of Excellence
| Statistic |
Taylor Wagner (CMU) |
Zach Ruebesam (CSUP) |
| Final Record |
37-2 |
22-8 |
| Win Improvement |
+12 Wins |
+10 Wins |
| Postseason |
NCAA D-II Final Four |
RMAC Semifinals |
| Defensive Rank |
#6 in NCAA D-II |
#1 in RMAC, #11 in NCAA D-II |
"Both Wagner and Ruebesam represent the very best of Colorado basketball—one establishing a national powerhouse, and the other breathing life back into a historic program."
These coaches also had 20-win seasons during the 2025-2026 collegiate season.
Women's Basketball
Katherine Auguste, Colorado College – Auguste continued her run as the winningest coach in Tigers history. Coming off a 23-win season in 2024-25, she maintained Colorado College's status as a D-III power in 2025-2026 with a 20-6 record highlighted by a 15-1 record to win their division in the Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference.
Mario Caetano, Adams State – Following a record-breaking 25-win season the prior year, Caetano led the Grizzlies to another successful campaign, finishing as a top-3 seed in the RMAC (22-1-, 15-5 RMAC). The season was defined by high-octane offense and a turnover-heavy defensive style that ranked among the best in Division II.
Kristen Mattio, Northern Colorado – Mattio led the Bears to a historic 23-11 record, the second-most wins in the program's Division I era. Her squad led the Big Sky (13-5) in defensive performance and set five single-season program records, including most points and steals. The season featured a signature victory over DePaul to claim the Wellnow Blue Demon Classic title.
JR Payne, University of Colorado – In her 10th season at the helm, JR Payne led the Buffaloes to a 22-12 (11-7 Big 12) record. Competing in the Big 12 for the second season, Payne secured an at-large bid to the NCAA Tournament. The Buffs have had five-straight 20-win seasons with Payne.
Ryun Williams, Colorado State – Williams orchestrated a dominant 27-8 season, finishing the regular season in the Mountain West with a 15-5 record. The Rams were a defensive powerhouse, ranking 8th nationally in points allowed per game (55.2). After a stellar conference tournament run by defeating Air Force in the finale, CSU earned a #12 seed in the NCAA Tournament, ultimately falling in a narrow 65-62 battle against Michigan State in the opening round. The Rams have had five-straight 20-win seasons with Williams.
Misty Wilson, UCCS – Wilson guided the Mountain Lions to the No. 2 seed in the RMAC Tournament. UCCS reached the RMAC Championship game after an upset over Adams State in the semifinals, though they eventually fell to Colorado Mesa. The team (22-11, 15-5 RMAC) earned a berth in the NCAA South Central Regional after a strong February, during which it won 7 of 8 games.
Men's Basketball
Mike Dunlap, Colorado Mesa – This was a bittersweet season for the Mavericks (21-11, 15-5 RMAC) as the Grand Junction five placed behind Black Hills State in both the regular-season and post-season. Dunlap led Mesa to the NCAA Tournament as part of a 40-win two-year stretch. However, on March 16, 2026, Dunlap announced he was stepping down due to health concerns.
Ali Farokhmanesh, Colorado State – In a season of high expectations, Farokhmanesh's first Ram squad posted a 21-13 record (11-9 in Mountain West). The Rams' season ended with a hard-fought loss to Saint Joseph's in the NIT postseason.
Steve Smiley, Northern Colorado – Smiley's Bears finished 20-12 (10-8 Big Sky). Known for a fast-paced "Points of the Grizzly" style, UNC ranked 44th in the nation in scoring (82.5 PPG). The highlight of the season was a massive 86-81 road upset over the CU Buffaloes in Boulder just after Christmas, helping propel them to a Top 4 finish in the conference.
Note: On April 9, 2026, Colorado Mesa named DeWeese as the successor to Mike Dunlap for the upcoming season.
