Following his fourth 20-win season in six seasons as the program’s head coach, and second NCAA tournament appearance in three seasons, Colorado State Athletics and head men’s basketball coach Niko Medved have agreed to a long-term extension that will keep Medved as the leader of the program through the 2028-29 season with options for additional years in 2029-30 and 2030-31.
Funds to support the increase to men’s basketball operations will come from fundraising, ticket sales, and other program-generated revenues.
“The culture of success Niko has built around our men’s basketball program is undeniable,” said interim Director of Athletics John Weber. “Not only has Niko built a winning team, but the high-character student-athletes and staff he recruits and develops here in Fort Collins are significant. Additionally, continuity in program leadership is incredibly valuable to maintain the tremendous positive momentum behind the program, and we are thrilled to be able to keep Niko, his wife Erica, and daughters Aly and Taylor at Colorado State. As we have seen time and time again under Niko’s leadership, our fans and Fort Collins have elevated Moby Madness to another level, and the long-term commitment we have made to Niko and he has made in return to CSU is a direct result of that increased level of interest, community support, and program-generated revenues.”
“My family and I are so thankful to be a part of the Colorado State men’s basketball program and Fort Collins community,” Medved said. “I want to thank University President Amy Parsons and interim Director of Athletics John Weber for believing in me, our program, and what we have built in the past six years on and off the court. Their commitment to the men’s basketball program continues to help us push forward in the ever-changing landscape of college athletics. I look forward to many more nights of Moby Madness and the support of the Colorado State community in the future!”
In his sixth season as the program’s head coach, Medved brought the Rams back to the NCAA tournament where they earned their first win since 2013. The Rams’ 25 wins in 2023-24 were the third-most in program history, tying Medved’s 2021-22 squad in that figure. Colorado State has been especially tough within the confines of Moby Arena under Medved’s leadership, posting a 15-2 mark in 2023, the second-most home wins in program history and the most in Medved’s six seasons. At the conclusion of the season, Medved was named the Skip Prosser Man of the Year which is awarded to the Division I coach who wins with integrity on and off the court each year.
In the polls, Medved’s Rams rose to as high as No. 12/13 in the coach’s poll and Associated Press poll, respectively – the highest rankings in program history. He is also the first coach in program history to lead the team to four 20-win seasons. His 117 career wins in the Green and Gold are the fourth-most in program history and five more will see him moved into second on the career list behind only Jim Williams’ 352 over a 26-year career.
Fans have responded in kind to the success of Medved’s Rams as Colorado State posted six sellouts in 2023-24, again continuing the theme of high-water marks in program history. Colorado State’s average attendance this past season (6,752) ranked as the highest since the 1991-92 season (6,909). In fact, over that span, there have been just four seasons averaging over 6,000 fans per game with two coming during Medved’s tenure (2021-22).
On the court in 2023-24, point guard Isaiah Stevens concluded his decorated career in the Green and Gold as arguably the finest player in program history after his recruitment and development under Medved. The five-time all-conference player leaves the Rams as the program’s career leader in points, assists, minutes played, wins, and a litany of other season and single-game records.
