Long Beach State Secures Bid Despite Coaching Change
Long Beach State had a rollercoaster season, but they managed to secure a bid to the NCAA Tournament despite a coaching change. Coach Dan Monson, who had been with the program since 2007-08, was fired just days before the Big West championship game. However, the 49ers rallied and defeated UC Davis 74-70 to secure their ticket to March Madness.
The firing of Coach Monson came as a surprise to many, especially considering the team’s recent struggles. Long Beach State had lost their final five regular season games before the split. However, they managed to turn things around in the tournament and defeated top-seeded UC Irvine and second-seeded UC Davis on their way to victory.
In his postgame interview on ESPN, Monson praised his players for their resilience and dedication. He acknowledged that they have been a joy to coach and compared their success to that of Jim Harbaugh, who famously said “Who’s got it better than us?” Monson jokingly added that someone should tell Harbaugh that he does.
Monson’s coaching career has had its fair share of successes. He was responsible for leading Gonzaga to a Cinderella run in the 1999 NCAA Tournament, where they reached the Elite Eight. After leaving Gonzaga for Minnesota, he continued to have a successful career. Despite being fired from Long Beach State, Monson is not ready to hang up his coaching hat just yet. He expressed his love for coaching and his desire for a new challenge, indicating that this may not be his last year.
For Long Beach State, their bid to the NCAA Tournament is a testament to their resilience and determination. Despite the coaching change and their late-season struggles, they managed to come together as a team and secure their spot in March Madness. It will be interesting to see how they perform in the tournament with Monson at the helm.
In conclusion, Long Beach State’s journey to the NCAA Tournament has been a rollercoaster ride. Despite a coaching change and a late-season slump, they managed to come out on top in the Big West championship game. Coach Dan Monson, who was fired just days before the game, has shown his commitment to coaching and his desire for a new challenge. It will be exciting to see how Long Beach State performs in the tournament under Monson’s leadership.