Ali Farokhmanesh replaces Niko Medved as head coach at Colorado State

Colorado State, located in the United States, has promoted Ali Farokhmanesh to the position of head coach for their men's basketball program. This decision followed a brief search period of just 24 hours, prompted by the departure of former head coach Niko Medved, who accepted a coaching role at the University of Minnesota, his alma mater. During Medved's tenure, which lasted four years, the team achieved a remarkable record of 143 wins against 85 losses, and they celebrated significant accomplishments, including three 25-win seasons. Under Medved, the Rams made it to the NCAA Tournament each year, with a notable performance where they reached the Round of 32, only to be eliminated by a narrowly missed buzzer-beater against Maryland. Ali Farokhmanesh brings a wealth of experience to his new role, having served as Medved's top assistant for the past eight years, first at Drake before transitioning to Colorado State. His promotion marks an important step in maintaining the stability and continuity of the program that has recently performed exceptionally well. In a statement released by the university, Farokhmanesh expressed enthusiasm about continuing the progress made by the team and pushing to new heights. He signed a five-year contract valued at $4.5 million, reflecting the university's confidence in his capabilities as a leader. Colorado State athletic director John Weber highlighted Farokhmanesh's relentless attitude and commitment to the program as key factors in his appointment. With significant interest in the head coaching position, the smooth transition from Medved to Farokhmanesh is seen as critical for the future success of the basketball program. As a former player, Farokhmanesh had a standout career at Northern Iowa, where he made his mark by hitting memorable game-winning shots against teams like UNLV and the number one-ranked Kansas in the 2010 NCAA Tournament. His playing experience, combined with his coaching background under Medved, positions him well as he takes on the challenges of his new role. Overall, the expectation is that Farokhmanesh will build on the solid championship foundation created by the previous coaching staff and further elevate Colorado State's basketball program.