Colorado State hired Niko Medved's top assistant to replace him as basketball coach following a quick 24-hour search. Ali Farokhmanesh, 36, was promoted Wednesday evening after Medved left earlier this week.

The university fired previous coach Ben Johnson following a disappointing 15-17 season that ended with a first-round exit in the Big Ten Tournament. Johnson, a Minneapolis native and former Gophers player, had two seasons left on his contract, requiring a $2.92 million buyout. His $1.95 million annual salary was the lowest in the conference.

Director of Athletics Mark Coyle and new gophers men’s basketball coach Niko Medved pose for a picture with a jersey at Medved’s first press conference at Athletic Village at the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis,