Minnesota gives Niko Medved a contract extension and salary bump after a promising first season
Minnesota head coach Niko Medved gestures during an NCAA college basketball game against Illinois on Jan. 17, 2026, in Champaign, Ill. Credit: AP/Craig Pessman
MINNEAPOLIS — Minnesota coach Niko Medved has received a one-year contract extension with a slight raise after a promising first season at his alma mater.
The university board of regents approved the contract amendment this week at its regular monthly meeting, giving Medved a $100,000 pay bump on top of the $100,000 annual increase in his initial six-year deal. Medved is now signed through the 2031-32 season and will make $3.2 million in 2026-27, which ranks 17th out of 18 head coaches in the Big Ten, according to university documents.
The Gophers went 15-18 overall and 8-12 in Big Ten play in Medved's first year, with a lineup depleted by injuries. The former student manager and assistant coach for the Gophers was hired last year after seven seasons at Colorado State. He's entering his 14th year as a head coach, including stops at Drake and Furman.
