Lengthy Seashore State’s journey to an NCAA Tournament bid really places the insanity in March.
The 49ers received the Big West Conference championship game over UC Davis on Saturday, 74-70, to go dancing this March. Nevertheless, it was an odd match berth contemplating head coach Dan Monson was fired simply 5 days prior.
Lengthy Seashore State made the choice to maneuver on from Monson, however opted for him to stay in place till the tip of the season. The 49ers, at 18-14, went into the Massive West Convention Event with a five-game dropping streak, so the thought was they wouldn’t win all of it to go into the NCAA Event.
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Head coach Dan Monson of the Lengthy Seashore State 49ers holds up the web after the win towards the UC Davis Aggies within the championship sport of the Massive West Convention males’s basketball match at The Greenback Mortgage Heart on March 16, 2024, in Henderson, Nevada. (Zak Krill/Getty Photographs)
That thought backfired, and now Monson will take his 49ers into the match hoping to play the Cinderella function each decrease seed desires to be this time of 12 months (groups will likely be seeded on Sunday).
A press release was introduced of Monson’s “mutual separation” with Lengthy Seashore State final week.
“I am proud of what we have accomplished on and off the court, but it is time for a new voice for the program,” he mentioned within the assertion. “I wish nothing but the best for a special university and a tremendous group of student athletes. I am also personally excited for what lies ahead for the Monson family and myself.”
Monson has been in his submit for the final 17 seasons with the 49ers, successful essentially the most video games of any head coach in college historical past with 275 victories. This will likely be his second NCAA Tournament look with the win, the final of which got here in the course of the 2011-12 season.
Head coach Dan Monson of the Lengthy Seashore State 49ers seems to be on from the bench towards the USC Trojans at Galen Heart on Dec. 14, 2022, in Los Angeles. (Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Photographs)
“On behalf of the entire Long Beach State community, I would like to thank Coach Monson for his 17 seasons of service to Beach Athletics and his many contributions to our men’s basketball program,” Govt Director of Athletics Bobby Smitheran mentioned. “As the all-time leader in career victories, he has positively impacted countless student-athletes to strive athletically and academically, and he leaves our program in great shape to continue our pursuit for championships. We wish the best for Dan, Darci, and the rest of his family as his coaching journey continues.”
Whereas Monson’s focus continues to be making a run with Lengthy Seashore State, he doesn’t consider he’ll be completed teaching when this season finally involves an in depth.
“I don’t think this is my last,” he instructed ESPN. “I love coaching. I love teams. I need a new challenge. It’s life, it’s onto the next chapter.”
Lengthy Seashore State head coach Dan Monson gestures courtside in the course of the San Diego State sport, Nov. 14, 2023, at Viejas Area in San Diego, California. (Tony Ding/Icon Sportswire through Getty Photographs)
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After all, the NCAA Event could also be awkward for Lengthy Seashore State contemplating the circumstances. However this final dance with Monson because the 49ers head coach may need a few of that magical fairy mud groups are searching for in March.
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