Niko Medved is leaving Colorado State to coach the Gophers. Photo: Andrew Wevers/Getty Images

Niko Medved, who revitalized the Colorado State basketball program, is heading home to take the reins of the Gophers, the University of Minnesota announced Monday.

Why it matters: Medved, a Roseville grad and former University of Minnesota assistant, will be tasked with leading a turnaround in Dinkytown, where the Gophers have missed the last six NCAA tournaments.

Flashback: Medved’s history at the U dates back to the mid-90s, when he was a student manager under Clem Haskins.

• The 51-year-old had head coaching jobs at Furman and Drake before taking over a floundering CSU program in 2018 and leading them to three tournament appearances in the last four years.

What they’re saying: “This is a special place, it’s home, and I cannot wait to get started,” Medved, who agreed to a six-year contract, said in a news release.

• He will be introduced at a noon press conference Tuesday.