The Open Mat presents awards annually in three categories for each division of college wrestling at the conclusion of the season. Awards are presented for Freshman of the Year, Coach of the Year and Wrestler of the Year.

This past season, Dalton Jensen guided Nebraska-Kearney to its second NCAA Division II national team title in four years.

On Tuesday, Jensen was named NCAA Division II Coach of the Year by The Open Mat.

The Lopers dominated at the 2025 NCAA Division II Wrestling Championships, winning the team title by 52 points over runner-up Augustana, which was the sixth biggest margin of victory in the history of Division II wrestling.

This was accomplished without crowning an individual national champion. Eight UNK wrestlers earned All-America honors, with three reaching the national finals. UNK wrestlers Zach Ourada (125), Nick James (149) and Jacobi Deal (174) all finished runner-up. Also earning All-America honors for UNK were Hector Serratos (133), Joe Airola (141), Jacari Deal (184), Jackson Kinsella (197) and Crew Howard (285).

UNK wrestled a challenging schedule during the 2024-25 season, competing against Division I wrestling powers Nebraska, Northern Iowa and Little Rock, as well as 10-time NAIA national champion Grand View. The Lopers finished third at the 2025 NWCA National Duals, losing to Central Oklahoma in the semifinals before bouncing back with a dominant win over McKendree in the third-place match.

At the 2025 Super Region VI, Jensen led Nebraska-Kearney to its fifth title in six years and qualified all 10 starters for the 2025 NCAA Division II Wrestling Championships. Five UNK wrestlers won titles and five finished second. The Lopers concluded the tournament with 155 points, which was the second most in program history.

As a competitor, Jensen was a national champion and two-time national finalist for Nebraska-Kearney. Prior to attending UNK, Jensen competed for Iowa State where he was an NCAA Division I national qualifier.