Where does Niko Medved's contract rank among Big Ten coaches?

Medved is expected to make at least $3 million next season.

Mar 21, 2024; Charlotte, NC, USA; Colorado State Rams head coach Niko Medved reacts to the first round of the 2024 NCAA Tournament against the Texas Longhorns at Spectrum Center. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images | Bob Donnan-Imagn Images

Finding the right coach can come at a cost.

Minnesota has officially hired Niko Medved to coach the men's basketball team, signing him to a six-year contract, and according to a report from Andy Greder of the Pioneer Press, the U will be paying him $3 million next season with annual raises of $100,000. That's a significant increase from Ben Johnson's salary this past season, but it's still near the bottom of the pack among Big Ten men's basketball coaches, according to coach salary information provided by USA TODAY.

The $3 million salary would make Medved the second-lowest paid men's basketball coach in the Big Ten, according to USA TODAY data, ahead of only Ohio State's Jake Diebler. Michigan State's Tom Izzo is the highest paid at $6.2 million.

While Medved's contract is nowhere near the top of the Big Ten, it's clear the U is still making a significant investment in its next men's basketball coach. In addition to Medved's $3 million salary, the Gophers had to spend $2.9 million to buy out Johnson's contract. Medved also had a $3.75 million buyout at Colorado State, though according to Greder's reporting, Minnesota will cover no more than $3.1 million of that buyout. It's nevertheless a $9 million investment in the new coach.

Find Big Ten coaching salary info in the table below:

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Big Ten coaching salaries (via USA TODAY)

Coach	School	Projected 2025-26 salary
Tom Izzo	Michigan State	$6.2 million
Mick Cronin	UCLA	$6.1 million
Darian DeVries	Indiana	~$5 million
Matt Painter	Purdue	$4.85 million
Brad Underwood	Illinois	$4.8 million
Fred Hoiberg	Nebraska	$4.75 million
Dusty May	Michigan	~$4.65 million
Kevin Willard	Maryland	$4.1 million
Dana Altman	Oregon	$4 million
Eric Musselman	USC	~$4 million
Greg Gard	Wisconsin	$3.9 million
Steve Pikiell	Rutgers	$3.8 million
Danny Sprinkle	Washington	$3.65 million
Ben McCollum	Iowa	~$3.5 million (not official)
Mike Rhoades	Penn State	$3.5 million
Chris Collins	Northwestern	~$3.2 million (expected raise)
Niko Medved	Minnesota	~$3 million
Jake Diebler	Ohio State	$2.5 million

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