• Niko Medved states that the Gophers job was a 'no-brainer' due to the opportunity and the school's commitment.
• Medved prioritizes being in a place where he feels valued and believes he can be successful over simply moving to a 'power four' conference.
• The Gophers' administration, led by athletic director Mark Coyle, made Medved a top priority in their coaching search.

Niko Medved, a Roseville, Minnesota native, has been hired as the head coach of the Gophers men's basketball team. Medved discussed his decision to return to his home state with analyst Jeff Goodman, highlighting the unique appeal of the Gophers job, the administration's strong pursuit of him, and his belief in the program's potential. He was the immediate top choice after the team moved on from Ben Johnson.

• What: Niko Medved accepted the head coaching position for the University of Minnesota Gophers men's basketball team.
• Who: Niko Medved, Mark Coyle (Gophers athletic director), Ben Johnson, Jeff Goodman
• When: Medved was hired a little over two months prior to the article's publication. He spoke to Jeff Goodman on a Monday.
• Where: University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota

Niko Medved's decision to return to Minnesota highlights the importance of fit, belief in a program, and feeling valued by the administration. He had a successful run at Colorado State and had other offers, but Minnesota's commitment and his connection to the state made the Gophers job particularly appealing. The article suggests that the Gophers administration moved quickly and decisively to secure Medved as their top choice.

"It was a no-brainer."

"I've always been in this situation, I don't wanna be a coach where everybody says, 'You just gotta go to the power four, you just gotta get there.' If I didn't feel excited about something, I wasn't gonna do it, because I loved my situation in Colorado," Medved told Goodman. "This was different for a lot of reasons. I really believe we can be good here. I really do."

Niko Medved's return to Minnesota is a significant development for the Gophers men's basketball program. His decision was driven by a combination of personal connection, belief in the program's potential, and feeling valued by the administration. With Medved at the helm, the Gophers are aiming to build on his previous success and compete at a high level.