Exciting Homecoming: Niko Medved Returns to Minneapolis as Minnesota’s New Head Coach After Triumph at Colorado State

When Minnesota’s athletic director Mark Coyle made a bold move to let go of Ben Johnson in the middle of the night on March 13, he had one goal in mind: securing Niko Medved as the next men’s basketball coach. And he did just that, hiring Medved from Colorado State.

Coyle praised Medved, a Minnesota native and a Gophers alumnus, for his proven coaching skills and deep commitment to developing young athletes. He highlighted Medved’s successes at various levels, noting that he has built successful teams everywhere he’s coached. A press conference is set for Tuesday to formally introduce him.

Medved returns to Minnesota after leading Colorado State to a remarkable season. The Rams upset 5-seed Memphis in the NCAA Tournament before narrowly losing to Maryland in a thrilling finish. Medved’s track record is impressive: in 12 years as a head coach, he has a winning record and has transformed struggling programs into contenders.

He spoke passionately about his return, expressing how special it is for him to coach the team he grew up supporting. Medved emphasized that this opportunity was too good to pass up, given his roots in Minnesota.

Under Medved’s guidance, Colorado State saw significant player development. Players like David Roddy and Isaiah Stevens have developed into NBA prospects, showing his ability to cultivate talent. However, for Minnesota to have lasting success, it will need to bolster its resources, particularly in areas like name, image, and likeness (NIL) agreements, where it has lagged behind other Big Ten programs.

As Colorado State looks for a new head coach, associate head coach Ali Farokhmanesh is seen as a leading candidate to fill the role left by Medved.

This coaching change reflects broader trends in college basketball. Programs across the country are increasingly prioritizing effective player development and resources to remain competitive. According to a recent report from the National Association of Basketball Coaches, schools that invest in their basketball programs, through coaching talent and player support, see not only better performance but also increased fan engagement and revenue.

In conclusion, Niko Medved’s return to Minnesota represents a fresh start for the Gophers. His local roots and proven ability to elevate teams make him a promising choice to lead the program into a new chapter.



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