Two Former Men's Basketball Coaches Land 2026 NJCAA Hall of Fame Recognition
CHARLOTTE, N.C. - Two former ICCAC men's basketball coaches are headed to the sport's highest junior college honor. Steve Forbes (Southwestern) and Doug Wagemester (Kirkwood) have been selected for induction into the NJCAA Men's Basketball Coaches Association Hall of Fame Class of 2026, becoming the 10th and 11th former ICCAC members to receive the distinction.
Doug Wagemester | Coach | Kirkwood (IA)
Doug Wagemester's career in junior college athletics spans more than a quarter‑century, highlighted by 15 seasons as head men's basketball coach at Kirkwood Community College and 26 total years of NJCAA service. During his tenure as head coach from 1998‑99 through 2012‑13, Wagemester compiled a 409‑107 overall record and a 179‑28 mark in conference play. His teams captured 12 Iowa Community College Athletic Conference (ICCAC) regular‑season titles and made nine NJCAA National Tournament appearances, including three national runner‑up finishes. Under his leadership, six players earned NJCAA All‑American honors and the Eagles achieved multiple seasons with 30 or more wins. Wagemester was also recognized as the NJCAA Division II National Coach of the Year in 2009‑10 by the National Association of Basketball Coaches.
In addition to his coaching accomplishments, Wagemester served as Kirkwood's athletic director from 2007 through 2024, a period in which the college's six sports programs posted sustained competitive success. During his time as AD, Kirkwood teams earned 58 national tournament appearances, 58 region titles, 10 NJCAA national championships and five national runner‑up finishes and saw 97 student‑athletes achieve All‑American status. His combined roles as coach and administrator reflect long‑term involvement in NJCAA athletics and contribution to the development of the college's athletic programs.
Steve Forbes | Coach | Southwestern (IA), Barton (KS), & Northwest Florida State
Steve Forbes began his coaching career in the junior college ranks, spending two seasons as an assistant and then head coach at Southwestern Community College where he compiled a 36‑27 record as head coach. In 1995 he took the head coaching job at Barton County Community College and over three seasons the Cougars went 68‑28, produced three All‑American players, twice finished with a national ranking, and recorded victories over 15 nationally ranked teams.
Forbes later returned to the NJCAA level in 2011 as head coach at Northwest Florida State College, where his teams posted a 62‑6 record across two seasons. He led the Raiders to consecutive 30 win seasons, and back-to-back NJCAA Division I National Runner-up finishes. Five of his players from Northwest Florida State went on to Division I programs. After his success at the junior college level, Forbes moved into NCAA Division I coaching, including assistant positions at several programs and head coaching roles at East Tennessee State and Wake Forest. His collegiate coaching career spans more than three decades and includes NCAA Tournament appearances, conference titles, and recognition for team performance at multiple levels of college basketball.
ICCAC in NJCAA Men's Basketball Hall of Fame:
2026: Steve Forbes (Coach) - Southwestern
2026: Doug Wagemebers (Coach) - Kirkwood
2025: Filiberto Rivera (Player) – Southeastern
2025: Terry Carroll (Coach) – Indian Hills
2021: Donta Smith (Player) – Southeastern
2018: Pete Mickeal (Player) – Indian Hills
2011: Dennis Pilcher (Coach) – Iowa Central
2008: Joe O'Brien (Coach) – Southeastern
1999: Jim Wyatt (Coach) – Southeastern
1992: Sam Williams (Player) – Burlington JC (Southeastern)
1986: Fred Brown (Player) –Southeastern