The Finnish sports gala will award “Coach of the Year” in January 2027. Currently, three candidates are in contention for the 2026 title, as of mid-year. One leading candidate is 43-year-old Tuomas Iisalo, the head coach of the Memphis Grizzlies. Iisalo coached the team last season and is expected to continue in the role through the start of the next season in mid-October, and throughout 2026. A commentator, Timo Kunnari, believes this list contains the eventual winner, but questions whether Iisalo’s achievements are sufficient. The other two candidates have not been named in this report.