Dan Monson recently made the decision to step down as the head coach of Long Beach State’s basketball team once their season wraps up. His tenure isn’t over just yet, though. Monson is set to continue coaching for a bit longer, thanks to the team’s recent success.
After a thrilling victory against UC Davis with a score of 74-70 in the Big West tournament final, Long Beach State has earned a spot in the men’s NCAA Tournament. This achievement marks a significant moment for the team, especially after an eventful week.
During a post-game interview, Monson humorously mentioned Jim Harbaugh’s famous quote, suggesting that he himself is in an enviable position after the team’s recent success.
The 2023-24 season for Long Beach State has been a rollercoaster, featuring notable victories against prominent teams. The team managed to secure a win against DePaul, faced a loss against San Diego State, but bounced back impressively with a win over Michigan shortly after.
One of the season’s highlights was when Long Beach State managed to defeat Southern California, overshadowing Bronny James’ college debut. Despite being 15 points down at halftime, Long Beach State fought back, pushing the game into overtime and ultimately claiming victory.
By February, Long Beach State had a record of 18-9 and was in the running for the Big West regular season title. However, a series of losses towards the end of the regular season saw them entering the conference tournament as the No. 4 seed.
The announcement came on Monday that Monson and Long Beach State have mutually agreed to part ways at the season’s end. Having led the team for 17 seasons, Monson will continue to coach through the postseason while the search for a new head coach begins immediately.
Monson expressed pride in the team’s achievements both on and off the court and voiced his support for the university and its athletes. He also shared his excitement for the future awaiting him and his family.
Before joining Long Beach State in 2007, Monson had a successful stint at Gonzaga, leading them to the Elite Eight in 1999, followed by several seasons at Minnesota.
In the Big West tournament, Long Beach State, as the No. 4 seed, started strong with a win against UC Riverside and then secured a victory over the top-seeded UC Irvine.
Their win against the Aggies not only clinched the Big West tournament title but also marked Long Beach State’s first NCAA Tournament berth since 2012, and the second under Monson’s leadership. This victory also extended Monson’s record as the coach with the most wins in Long Beach State history.