Colorado State's Niko Medved hired at alma mater Minnesota

Field Level Media|published: Mon 24th March, 14:27 2025

Mar 23, 2025; Seattle, WA, USA; Colorado State Rams head coach Niko Medved works the sideline against the Maryland Terrapins in the first half at Climate Pledge Arena. Mandatory Credit: Steven Bisig-Imagn Images

Minnesota hired Colorado State's Niko Medved to be the next coach of the Golden Gophers on Monday.

His contract is for six years and requires approval of university regents before his hiring can become official. Financial terms were not disclosed.

Medved, 51, is a Minneapolis native and Minnesota alumnus who worked as an assistant coach for the program in 2006-07.

His connection to the program runs deep.

"I loved my time at Colorado State, and I worked with tremendous people who made a lasting impact on my life. Those are memories that I will cherish forever," Medved said in a school news release.

"This job was too special to pass up and when the opportunity presented itself, I had to take it. I grew up a Gopher about 15 minutes away from The Barn. I went to school here, was a student manager here and coached here. This is a special place, it's home, and I cannot wait to get started."

He guided Colorado State to a 26-10 record this season and a No. 12 seed in the NCAA Tournament, where the Rams defeated No. 5 Memphis in the West Region first round before falling 72-71 to No. 4 Maryland on Sunday on a buzzer-beater.

Medved compiled a 143-85 record in seven seasons at Colorado State with three NCAA Tournament berths. The Rams were 16-4 in the Mountain West during the 2024-25 regular season before winning the league tournament.

Medved is 222-173 overall, including head coaching stints at Drake (2017-18) and Furman (2013-17).

He replaces Ben Johnson, who was fired last week after four seasons and a 56-71 record (22-57 Big Ten) at Minnesota.

--Field Level Media

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