Niko Medved has coached Colorado State men's basketball back into competitive conversation after the program dipped in positive notoriety with the release of Larry Eustachy back in 2018. With a different approach to recruiting and team culture, what he's doing is clearly working, and CSU Athletics has officially jumped on the opportunity to extend the work Medved is doing. Colorado State Athletics has officially released that Medved's contract has been extended through the 2026-27 season.

What does this mean for Medved's staff and the program?

With the extension, Medved will be receiving a bonus for continuing his position as head coach. Additionally, Colorado State added to the salary pool for the rest of Medved's staff. For a coaching staff that finds culture so important, and it shows in the dynamic of the team and staff, this is huge for continuing the work Medved and his staff has put in to build the men's basketball program back up. In the official announcement from CSU Athletics, Medved touched on how much the atmosphere at CSU means to him and his family, saying:

It's a blessing to work at such a great place with so many great people.

 

How recognition and performance has only continued to grow under Medved and his staff

For the last four years that the CSU men's basketball has been under Medved's direction, they have seen an increased win percentage every single season. When CSU played Duke back in 2019, while they lost by over 30 points, Medved's confidence in scheduling a game like that in that arena only foreshadowed the confidence he has in his program and his willingness to put them in situations that will only make them better.

Since then, the team has garnered postseason invites in their last two seasons, competing in the National Invitation Tournament last year for the second consecutive season and ultimately finishing 2-2.

Going into the 2021-22 season, CSU is returning all five starters from last season. And, to top that off, they are currently sitting in the 25 spot for Jeff Borzello's Way-Too-Early Top 25 2021-22 college basketball rankings.

Colorado State men's basketball has yet to release their official 2021-22 schedule, but they are set to open up the 2021 USVI Paradise Jam in the Virgin Islands against Bradley on Nov. 19.

CSU Rams Fans Through the Years

 

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