Niko Medved to Drake

[20terrier15]

Just saw on WSPA, Niko Medved is apparently leaving Furman for Drake.

[lawdog]

Mildly surprised. Ruck?

[boulder3m]

What is the deal with Furman athletics? Their golf team finished 18th out of 21 in their own tournament. Does the administration and alumni support athletics, or is that beneath them?

[Terrier13]

Definitely surprised that Medved made the (lateral?) move to Drake. With his class coming back next year, I would have expected Furman to be the SoCon favorite- now, I'm not so sure. I guess he wanted out of Furman badly enough to take the small upgrade to Drake and the pay raise rather than waiting a year and likely getting an even better opportunity if he were to win the conference and make it to the NCAA Tourney. Makes me glad that MY has stuck with Wofford over the years, even when he's had the opportunity to interview at larger programs. While I'm excited for the increased opportunity our team will have next year in conference play, I am somewhat disappointed for our conference- Medved was a good coach and, for the sake of our conference, we need good coaches and teams to push the SoCon brand and get respect for our league, even if we're to remain a one bid league, it would still be nice for seeding purposes.

[Ruckus]

FU is a lacrosse school now
Mildly surprised at this. Trying to get the back story now.
Can only be 2 things: money or family.
He and his wife just had a baby 2 -3 weeks ago.
I thought he did a great job for them. His team loved him.
They are still playing BTW: beat Campbell in the CIT yesterday.

[youngterrier]

This will happen with a young, successful coach in a midmajor conference.

Glad Coach Young isn't, well, young

[woffordgrad94]

I'm not sure I would consider Furman to Drake a lateral move. Drake is in the Missouri Valley Conference with programs such as Wichita State, Southern Illinois, and Northern Iowa. They have gotten multiple teams in the NCAAs on some occasions (although Drake itself has not had a lot of success lately- hence why they are changing coaches).

It appears Nedved is leaving NOW even though FU is still playing in the CIT with a chance to win that tournament. He couldn't even finish out the season with them...to me he did Furman and his team a bit dirty.

[Eyes of Old Main]

He couldn't even finish out the season with them...to me he did Furman and his team a bit dirty.

I would agree. Medved is a great coach, but he always seemed a bit shady to me. Furman fans are probably hurt by the sudden departure and its circumstances, but considering the mes they were in when Medved got there they are probably at least happy to be in a better place this time around.

[Art Vandalay]

I see where Matt McCall of UTC is rumored to be moving to UMass. I'm surprised he's going anywhere after the last half of the season

[walliver]

He couldn't even finish out the season with them...to me he did Furman and his team a bit dirty.

I would agree. Medved is a great coach, but he always seemed a bit shady to me. Furman fans are probably hurt by the sudden departure and its circumstances, but considering the mes they were in when Medved got there they are probably at least happy to be in a better place this time around.

Drake's first choice took the job and almost immediately untook it. The UMass fiasco is well known. Drake may not have given him an option. It may have been a "take it NOW or we get someone else" deal.

[Eyes of Old Main]

I see where Matt McCall of UTC is rumored to be moving to UMass. I'm surprised he's going anywhere after the last half of the season

The probably want to go ahead an get him to sign on the dotted line so he can have plenty of time to sign them a bunch of junior college transfers.

[woffordgrad94]

Furman was soundly defeated 77-51 by St. Peter's in the CIT semifinals...gotta believe the coaching situation affected them some.

[youngterrier]

UTC coach to UMASS.

One would think the three teams in the mix next year are going to be ETSU, UNCG, and us

[lawdog]

The Furples should be good too. They should be able to attract a competent replacement for Medved.

[Ruckus]

I am hearing assistant Bob Richey, who was holdover from the Jackson regime, is a leading candidate. He is the interim coach as well.