In a surprising turn of events, Minnesota Athletic Director Mark Coyle made headlines on March 13 when he decided to fire head coach Ben Johnson in the early hours of the morning. Coyle reportedly had a specific candidate in mind for the position: Niko Medved. Sources close to the situation have confirmed that Medved will leave his current role at Colorado State to take on the responsibilities as the next head coach of the Golden Gophers.
The official announcement of Medved's hiring is expected imminently, with a press conference scheduled for Tuesday. Medved is coming off a remarkable 2024-25 season, where he led the Colorado State Rams to the NCAA Tournament. His team's journey included a stunning upset over 5-seed Memphis in the first round and a nail-biting close match against Maryland, which ended in a controversial buzzer-beater by freshman star Derik Queen.
At 51 years old, Niko Medved not only brings a wealth of experience but also a personal connection to Minnesota, being a native of Minneapolis and a proud alumnus of the University of Minnesota, graduating in 1997. Over the past seven seasons at Colorado State, Medved has transformed the Rams into a competitive force, guiding them to the NCAA Tournament three times and achieving an impressive total of 143 wins.
Medved's track record as a program-builder is noteworthy. He began his coaching career at Furman, where he improved the team's record from nine wins in his first year to 23 wins by Year 4. He then moved to Drake in 2017, where he turned around a struggling program from seven wins to 17 wins in just one season. Overall, Medved boasts a commendable coaching record of 222 wins against 172 losses over 12 seasons.
One of the hallmarks of Medved's coaching style has been his ability to develop talented players. During his tenure at Colorado State, athletes like David Roddy, Isaiah Stevens, and Nique Clifford have all flourished under his guidance, evolving into NBA-level prospects. This focus on player development will be crucial for Minnesota as it aims to enhance its standing in the competitive Big Ten conference and nationally.
Despite the excitement surrounding Medved's hiring, Minnesota's men's basketball program faces significant challenges. Sources indicate that the program ranked among the bottom two in NIL (Name, Image, Likeness) opportunities within the league over the past three seasons. For Minnesota to achieve sustained success in both the Big Ten and on a national level, substantial investment in the program is essential.
As Colorado State now seeks to fill Medved's position, associate head coach Ali Farokhmanesh is expected to be a top candidate to succeed him. The transition period for both Minnesota and Colorado State will be closely watched as they navigate this pivotal moment in their basketball programs.
