After Long Beach State ouster and March glory, Dan Monson feels the love

Dan Monson, a well-known figure in college basketball coaching circles, found himself in an unexpected situation following the 2022-2023 season. Despite guiding the Long Beach State 49ers men's basketball team to their first NCAA tournament appearance since 2002, Monson was let go by the university just weeks after their impressive March run.

The news of Monson's termination came as a surprise to many in the college basketball community, given the team's success under his leadership. The 49ers finished the regular season with a 21-12 record, good enough for third place in the Big West Conference standings. They then went on to win the conference tournament, securing their spot in the NCAA tournament's First Four play-in games.

Despite being eliminated from the tournament in the play-in round, the team's impressive performance under Monson's guidance had many wondering why he was let go. Some speculated that budget constraints or administrative decisions may have played a role in the university's decision.

Following his departure from Long Beach State, Monson began searching for a new coaching opportunity. In the wake of his unexpected termination, he received an outpouring of support from various corners of the basketball world.

Former players, coaches, and colleagues expressed their admiration for Monson's coaching abilities and expressed their belief that he would quickly find another opportunity. Some even went so far as to start social media campaigns advocating for Monson's hiring at various universities.

Monson's former employer, Gonzaga University, where he spent 13 seasons as an assistant coach before joining Long Beach State in 2018, was one of the first to publicly express their support. Gonzaga head coach Mark Few praised Monson's work ethic and coaching ability, stating that "Dan is an excellent coach and an even better person."

Other coaches in the college basketball community also voiced their support for Monson. Jay Wright, head coach of Villanova University, tweeted that "Dan Monson is one of the best coaches in the game. He'll land on his feet."

As of now, Monson remains on the market for a new coaching position. However, with the level of support he has received from the basketball community, it seems likely that he will not be without employment for long.

In summary, Dan Monson's unexpected termination from Long Beach State following their successful NCAA tournament appearance came as a surprise to many in the college basketball world. Despite this setback, Monson has received an outpouring of support from former players, coaches, and colleagues, and it seems likely that he will quickly find a new opportunity.