Niko Medved hires former Wyoming assistant, promotes Ali Farokhmanesh

Niko Medved’s new staff member joins the program with a unique perspective. After spending the last four years at the University of Wyoming, most recently as associate head coach, veteran assistant Ken DeWeese is switching sides in the rivalry and will now don the Green & Gold. 

“I am excited to welcome Ken and his family to our program,” Medved said “He brings valuable experience and knowledge of our league after his time at Wyoming. We are fortunate to have someone with his reputation and track record join our program.”

In addition to his experience in Laramie, DeWeese spent 2016-2020 on staff at Northern Colorado. So despite being new to Fort Collins, he’s highly familiar with the region. That should serve to benefit him when it comes to the local recruiting scene. Recruiting in general is considered one of his specialities as a coach. 

Along with being a coach with a solid track record for landing talent at his previous stops, what should be encouraging to Ram Nation is teams have largely been successful with DeWeese on staff. UTEP won 120 games over the six years he was in El Paso. And during that time he recruited four players that would earn all-conference recognition. 

Working under Jeff Linder at Northern Colorado, the duo coached a Big Sky Player of the Year, a Defensive Player of the Year, a Sixth Man of the Year and a Freshman of the Year. The Bears also won a program-best 69 games over a three-year period. 

Obviously things fizzled out at the end for Linder and DeWeese up in Laramie, however, prior to some of the recent rule changes crippled that program, they guided the Pokes to a 25 win season and an NCAA Tournament appearance in 2022. 

Had the school not hired Sundance Wicks, it’s very possible that DeWeese would have been named head coach following Linder’s departure to Texas Tech this spring. Being able to bring him over to CSU is a really solid move for Medved after CJ Rivers was hired by Marquette. 

Farokhmanesh elevated to associate head coach

In a busy day of announcements for the program, Medved also announced that longtime CSU assistant Ali Farokhmanesh has officially been elevated to associate head coach. 

“Ali has been an instrumental part of what we have built here at Colorado State,” Medved said. “He is a tireless worker always looking to improve our program. Ali’s ability to connect and impact the young men we bring into our program is second to none. I am glad to have him on our staff.”

The last remaining assistant from Medved’s inaugural staff, Farokhmanesh has played a key role in CSU’s success in recent years. The Rams have won 20 or more games in four of the six years he’s been in town. His work as a recruiter, skills and shooting coach and more have been a big reason why. 

There are a lot of schools in the country that would be lucky to have a coach of his caliber leading their program. Keeping the continuity between Medved and Farokhmanesh is a major win for CSU.