Kyle Smith leaving; 5 Washington State head coach candidates
Dan Monson
Monson, who famously led his Long Beach State Beach team to a Big West Tournament title and NCAA Tournament appearance despite his announced firing prior to the run, could be a solid fit for Washington State. A Spokane, Washington native, Monson knows the state well and even coached in-state Gonzaga to an Elite Eight run in the NCAA Tournament during the 1998-99 season so he is respected in the basketball world. While he was fired from Long Beach State, that move may have been a bit premature as Monson has had a lot of success with the Beach, going 275-273 with four NIT appearances, four Big West regular season titles, four Big West Coach of the Year awards, two Big West Tournament championships and two NCAA Tournament appearances over 17 seasons.
By hiring Monson, the Cougars would get a local, experienced coach coming off of one of his best seasons at the mid-major level. While he may not be considered the sexiest hiring given his age, 62, and his nearly two decades at Long Beach State, Monson clearly proved this year that his team will play hard for him and that he can have success if given the opportunity.
