Niko Medved leaves Colorado State to coach Minnesota
- Niko Medved is transitioning from Colorado State University after leading the team to multiple NCAA tournament appearances.
- He will replace Ben Johnson, who was fired following a disappointing season with the Gophers.
- Medved's hiring represents a fresh start for Minnesota's struggling men's basketball program.
On March 24, 2025, Niko Medved, the head coach of the Colorado State University Rams men's basketball team, announced his departure to take over as the head coach of the University of Minnesota Golden Gophers. Medved, a Minneapolis native and University of Minnesota alumnus, has had a successful career with the Rams, leading them to three NCAA Tournament appearances over seven seasons, including a recent season where the team went 26-10. Medved's contract with Colorado State included a significant buyout amount of approximately $3.7 million due to the remaining value on his deal. The transition follows a challenging season for Minnesota, which experienced a disappointing 15-17 record in 2024-25, culminating in the firing of their previous coach, Ben Johnson. Johnson's departure came after a series of underwhelming seasons marked by a lack of NCAA Tournament appearances and a losing record in conference play. Consequently, the Gophers sought a new leader who could leverage local talent and elevate the program's competitive standing. Niko Medved, who previously worked as a team manager for the Gophers, has deep ties to Minnesota and is viewed as a fitting choice given his local roots and positive track record in building successful teams at Furman and Drake prior to his tenure at Colorado State. Upon his arrival at Colorado State, he turned the Rams into one of Colorado's premier basketball programs, making them highly competitive in the Mountain West Conference. This success has left Colorado State fans saddened by his departure but also supportive of his career advancement. With the announcement of Medved's decision, the Golden Gophers are set to officially introduce him as their new head coach during a press conference on March 25, 2025. His hiring is seen as a strategic move that could reinvigorate Minnesota's basketball program, which has struggled to maintain consistent success in recent years. It is anticipated that Medved will focus on rebuilding the team's roster, which has recently lost talent to the transfer portal, as he works toward establishing a more competitive presence in the Big Ten Conference.