The University of Minnesota has officially named Niko Medved as the new head coach of the Gophers’ men’s basketball team, sealing the deal just before 1 p.m. on Monday. The 51-year-old Roseville native, who inked a six-year contract, brings his hometown passion back to the court where he once served as a student manager in the ’90s.
Fresh off guiding Colorado State to the NCAA Tournament’s second round—where they nearly stunned Maryland to reach the Sweet 16—Medved called the gig his “dream job.”
“I’m beyond grateful to President Rebecca Cunningham, Mark Coyle, and the search team—this is truly my dream come true,” Medved said. “Colorado State was an incredible chapter, filled with amazing people who shaped me forever. But this? This is home.
I grew up a Gopher, just 15 minutes from The Barn, studied here, managed here, coached here. It’s personal, and I’m pumped to get rolling.”
Athletics Director Mark Coyle, who tapped Medved to replace Ben Johnson (his 2020 hire), couldn’t hold back his excitement. “Niko’s a slam dunk for us,” Coyle said in a statement. “He’s a Minnesota grad with a killer coaching record, a fire for developing players, and deep pride in his roots. He wins wherever he goes, and we can’t wait to see him take the reins at his alma mater.”
Medved, joined by his wife Erica and daughters Aly and Taylor, will step into the spotlight at a press conference Tuesday.
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