Following weeks of speculation, it seems we finally have confirmation of what’s been expected. Niko Medved is headed home to his alma mater and will be the next head coach of the Minnesota Golden Gophers according to multiple national reports. Although nothing has been officially announced by the school yet, after seven years at Colorado State and three NCAA Tournament appearances to show for it, Medved’s time in Fort Collins is seemingly done.
Medved inherited a mess following a disastrous end to the Larry Eustachy era but quickly inspired hope with 20-win campaigns in both his second and third years at CSU. He really took things to the next level in year four though, leading the Rams to a 25-win campaign and a 6-seed in the 2022 NCAA Tournament.
Following David Roddy’s departure, an injury-riddled Rams team struggled a bit in the 2022-23 season. However, the last two years have been successful in an unprecedented way
CSU played its way into a top 15 ranking for the first time ever in November and December of 2023 before winning its first NCAA Tournament game in over a decade in March of 2024. After losing four of five starters, most assumed this would be a down year for CSU, and for a while it looked like it would be. But after starting 5-5 and looking lucky to reach an NIT, the Rams went on one of the most remarkable runs we’ve ever seen.
CSU won 10 straight games including the Mountain West Tournament to secure a bid to the big dance. The conference championship along the way was CSU’s first in more than two decades. The win over Memphis was also the highest seed the Rams have beaten in an NCAA Tournament (5).
Things heartbreakingly came to an end in the second round. But the way the Rams played against an elite Maryland team was one of the more inspiring efforts we’ve seen from the Green & Gold on a big stage. There was no doubt that CSU belonged and very easily could have reached the Sweet 16 if a play or two went differently.
Seeing the magical run come to an end and now faced with an uncertain future, it’s unfortunate Ram Nation doesn’t get to just live in the moment for a little while longer. The transfer portal has made that nearly impossible. The silver lining is that whether CSU hands the keys to Ali Farokhmanesh or goes with someone like Tim Miles or Craig Smith, there are solid options for the Green & Gold. This is a program that has shown it can be a winner with the right leadership.
Medved leaves CSU with a record of 143-85 (.627). He leads all Rams coaches from the last 40 years and owns the second-most wins in school history. Only Jim Williams, who coached the Rams for 25 years has more (352). He is one of just four CSU coaches to win more than 120 games during his tenure.
With Medved officially gone, obviously the big focus will be on roster retention. The Rams started three sophomores in this NCAA Tournament run and played five underclassmen in the total rotation. Being able to keep some of these guys will be key in maintaining the success the program has had in recent years.
There is a real incentive to move quickly and limit the time the players may feel like they are in limbo.
