U AD Talking Niko Medved & Dawn Plitzuweit Contracts

 

Don’t be surprised if adjustments are made soon to the contracts of Golden Gophers men’s basketball coach Niko Medved and women’s coach Dawn Plitzuweit.  The two reportedly have annual current deals paying them $3 million and $900,000 respectively.

“…We are having those (contract) conversations with both coaches,” University of Minnesota athletics director Mark Coyle told Sports Headliners on Thursday.  Contract changes must be approved by President Rebecca Cunningham and the Board of Regents.

Medved became the Gophers head coach in March of 2025.  He inherited a program needing a rebuild but exceeded expectations of a 16^th place finish in the 18-team Big Ten.  The Gophers, 8-12 in Big Ten games and 15-18 overall, were surprisingly competitive including wins over three nationally ranked teams.

The Gopher women were 13-5 in Big Ten games, achieving 13 wins in league play for only the third time in their history.  The 24-9 overall Gophers were voted No. 15 (Associated Press) and 18 (coaches) in the polls, their best finish since 2004-2005. In Plitzuweit’s third season she led Minnesota to a No. 4 seed in the NCAA Tournament and had two wins. That was the program’s highest seed since 2005.

Coyle has a track record of rewarding coaches after success and is clearly pleased with Medved and Plitzuweit. “Those are two things (contract changes) we’d like to get done,” he said.

The Board of Regents has meetings scheduled next Thursday and Friday.

Worth Noting

News this spring that Minneapolis mayor Jacob Frey favors the City Center site as a  location for a new Timberwolves arena is curious to Sports Headliners sources.  It could cost $40 million or so to demolish the building’s tower.  The land itself is so “skinny” it raises questions about desirability as an attractive home for the NBA team and the WNBA Lynx.

It’s believed ownership of the two franchises will privately pay for the arena.  The private pay model is increasing in popularity in the NBA but financially it only works if team ownership controls adjacent land and buildings for shopping, entertainment, bars, restaurants, and more.

The site selection process might eventually lead to the large Farmers Market site near downtown.  The location has long been speculated as a home to an arena or stadium.  About 11 years ago mayor Betsy Hodges opposed a property tax exemption for soccer team owner Bill McGuire’s proposed stadium that eventually was built in St. Paul.

Hodges reportedly now lives in Washington D.C.  Her website describes her as a visionary regarding race, leadership, governance, and policy formation.

Capital Club founder Patrick Klinger has a star duo speaking at Mendakota Country Club on June 24.  National Baseball Hall of Famer Paul Molitor and another St. Paul born luminary, former MLB umpire and storyteller Tim Tschida, will share experiences and wisdom at the breakfast program. For more information, contact Patrick Klinger, patrick@agilemarketingco.com.

Jose Miranda, who tied an MLB record two years ago with 12 straight hits playing for the Twins, was released recently by the Padres organization.

Longtime Sports Headliners reader Dan Hennen emailed he and wife Lynn have now visited 19 MLB stadiums.  They have a new favorite after watching the Twins and Pirates recently at PNC Park in Pittsburgh.  The atmosphere and environment were impressive, including a postgame light show from drones.

Hot hockey rumor this weekend: the Wild might be on the short list of places center Dylan Larkin could land.  A premium center, he’s requested a trade from the Red Wings.

Minnesota hockey legend Lou Nanne turned 85 last Tuesday.  Leave it to Beaver TV star Jerry Mathers turned 78 that day.

Steve Crowl, the former basketball player at Eastview High School and collegiate Badger, played six games this past season for the Salt Lake City Stars of the G League.  In six games he averaged 1.3 points and 3.2 rebounds per game.