Prior to last season’s 15-17 record, Dan Monson had experienced just one losing season during his time at Long Beach State, with that being his first campaign in 2007-08. The 49ers have become well-known for the grueling non-conference schedules they play annually, with those challenges helping to prepare Monson’s teams for Big West play.
And the scheduling strategy has worked in that regard, as Long Beach State has won at least ten conference games in each of the last four seasons. Also of note during Monson’s tenure are the three Big West regular season titles and an NCAA tournament appearance in 2012. With those accomplishments under his belt, it was only a matter of time before Long Beach State moved to take care of their head coach.
Wednesday afternoon, the school announced that it has extended Monson’s contract through the 2018-19 season.
Monson’s won 119 games at Long Beach State, and he’s just four wins away from passing Jerry Tarkanian as the school’s winningest coach. Guards Mike Caffey, who’s been a first team All-Big West selection in each of the last two years, and Tyler Lamb will lead the way in 2014-15, with Long Beach State’s schedule including road games against eight teams that reached the NCAA tournament last year.
Among those teams are BYU, San Diego State, Texas, Syracuse and Louisville.