Coach Dan Monson Leads Long Beach State Basketball Team to March Madness Amidst Uncertainty of His Tenure
The Long Beach State University (LBSU) men’s basketball team has clinched a spot in March Madness, marking a remarkable turnaround following a five-game losing streak that had left their Cinderella dreams teetering on the brink. However, this achievement comes amidst uncertainty surrounding the future of their longtime head coach, Dan Monson.
Last week, as LBSU was grappling with their losing streak, the university announced its decision to part ways with Monson following his 17-year tenure at the helm of the program. While this news was not entirely unexpected, it came as a surprise to many given that Monson had previously indicated his intention to continue coaching beyond this season.
LBSU’s fortunes began to change at the Big West Conference Tournament in Henderson, Nevada. The team staged an impressive comeback, defeating UC Riverside, UC Irvine, and UC Davis in successive games to claim the conference championship on Saturday. With this win, LBSU secured a berth in the NCAA men’s basketball tournament – their first appearance since 2012 and only the second during Monson’s tenure.
Despite the impending change in leadership, Monson remains committed to guiding LBSU through the postseason. In an interview with ESPN during the Big West Championship game broadcast, he expressed his intent to continue coaching and seek new challenges. “I don’t think this is my last,” Monson shared. “I love coaching, I love teams. It’s life – on to the next chapter.”
Long Beach State fans and supporters eagerly await the NCAA Tournament bracket reveal on Sunday evening, which will determine their team’s fate in March Madness. Regardless of what lies ahead for Monson and LBSU, this season has proven that basketball can deliver unexpected twists and turns – both on and off the court.
