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Daniel Lloyd Monson (born October 6, 1961) is an American college basketball coach who is currently the head coach at Eastern Washington. He was previously the head coach at Long Beach State for 17 seasons. He was also the head coach at Minnesota for over seven seasons, reaching postseason play five times. Before coaching the Gophers, he was the head coach at Gonzaga for two seasons, leading the team on an improbable run to the Elite Eight during his last season.

Key Information

Early years

[edit]

Monson is the son of college basketball coach Don Monson, and spent most of his early years in eastern Washington, where his father was a successful high school head coach in Cheney and Pasco for 18 seasons. At age 14, the family moved from Pasco to East Lansing, Michigan, where Don was an assistant coach for Jud Heathcote at Michigan State for two seasons.

They moved to Moscow, Idaho at the start of his junior year, when his father became the head coach of his alma mater, the University of Idaho, in August 1978. He graduated from Moscow High School in 1980 and played college football a few blocks away as a receiver for the Idaho Vandals, then under head coach Jerry Davitch.[1][2] Monson suffered a knee injury that ended his playing career, and focused on coaching; he graduated from Idaho with a degree in secondary education (mathematics) in 1985.

Coaching career

[edit]

After graduation, Monson was a high school coach (and math teacher) in Oregon City for a season, then became a collegiate graduate assistant under Gene Bartow at UAB in 1986, where he earned a master's degree in education.

Gonzaga

[edit]

Monson began at GU as an assistant coach in 1988 and was elevated to associate head coach under head coach Dan Fitzgerald in 1994;[3] in all, Monson spent eleven years helping build the Gonzaga program. As an assistant, Monson was a key figure in the Bulldogs turnaround during the 1990s. Gonzaga had a record of 223–89 (.715) over ten seasons and he was responsible for recruiting many of the key players in Gonzaga's NCAA Sweet 16 appearances from 1998–2001. From the time Monson was named associate head coach in 1995,[4] Gonzaga averaged 22 wins per season and reached postseason play every year but one. For all of this, Monson was promoted to head coach of the Zags in 1997.

His first year as head coach at Gonzaga (1997–98) resulted in a 24–10 mark, as the Bulldogs won the West Coast Conference championship and advanced to the second round of the NIT. On their way to setting a school-record with its 24 wins, Monson was named the WCC Coach of the Year and National Rookie Coach of the Year by Basketball Times.

The 1999 team brought Gonzaga basketball to national prominence with an impressive run in the NCAA tournament. In the West regional, the tenth-seeded Zags defeated 7th-seed Minnesota[5] and second-seed #7 Stanford in the Seattle sub-regional, then sixth-seed Florida in the Sweet Sixteen round in Phoenix.[6] Gonzaga advanced to the regional final (Elite Eight), taking the region's top seed, eventual national champion Connecticut, down to the last minute, losing by five points.[7]

While at the helm at Gonzaga, Monson had a 52–17 (.754) record in his two seasons and won both regular season titles.

Minnesota

[edit]

Monson became one of the more sought-after coaching candidates in college basketball in the spring of 1999.[8][9] After Gonzaga's improbable run to the Elite Eight, he signed a new contract in mid-April,[10] then was offered the head coaching position at the University of Minnesota in late July, which he accepted.[11][12] University president Mark Yudof was hoping that Monson would be able to help the program move past the scandals of previous head coach Clem Haskins.[13][14] In the previous season, Gonzaga had defeated Minnesota in the first round of the NCAA tournament after several Gopher players were forced to sit out due to an academic fraud investigation. Mark Few, Monson's top assistant, succeeded him at Gonzaga. Monson also had ties to Minnesota already, as his father Don was born in rural Menagha.

In April 2002, Monson was courted by the University of Washington in Seattle to coach the Huskies and return to his home state of Washington. Monson initially accepted the offer presented by Huskies AD Barbara Hedges to succeed Bob Bender.[15] The Minnesota athletic department, under Tom Moe, convinced Monson to change his mind and stay on with Minnesota.[16] In the end, Monson decided to return to Minnesota because he didn't feel he had given enough time to the rebuilding effort at Minnesota and hadn't yet attained enough success with the team.[15] Washington ultimately hired Lorenzo Romar.

The Gophers had been docked several scholarships due to the academic scandals of the Haskins era. The reductions took their full effect under Monson's watch, and it was several years before he was able to recruit on equal footing with other Big Ten coaches. He led the Gophers to one NCAA Tournament and 4 NIT appearances in his 7 full seasons as Gophers coach. Nonetheless, he was widely praised for cleaning up the program's image. On November 30, 2006, Monson resigned as head coach of Minnesota after a 2–5 start and only achieving a single 20-win season in seven. Assistant coach Jim Molinari was appointed interim head coach before Tubby Smith was named the new head coach after the season. Monson compiled a 118–106 (.527) record with the Gophers, giving him an overall career record of 170–123 (.580) as a head coach.

Long Beach State

[edit]

On April 6, 2007, Monson was named the head coach at Long Beach State.[17] The 49ers (now known as The Beach), improved in each of Monson's first several seasons, to the point that on February 24, 2011, Long Beach defeated Cal Poly 61–55 to clinch their first Big West regular season title since 2006–07 and the #1 seed in the Big West tournament. The following season, Long Beach State won the conference's regular season (15–1) and tournament titles, and advanced to the 2012 NCAA tournament.

Under Monson, The Beach routinely played one of the most difficult non-conference schedules in the nation, usually playing teams such as North Carolina, Duke, Louisville, and Texas as a method to prepare the team for Big West conference play and possibly the NCAA tournament.

Monson has also coached internationally; he was an assistant coach on the 1999 World University Games team and the 2004 USA U-20 team.

In 2018, a poll of Big West assistant coaches named Long Beach State as the "Best Job in the Big West". [18]

The 2021–22 season opener on November 10, 2021 served as a homecoming for Monson, as The Beach traveled to Monson's alma mater of Idaho to play the Vandals in the first regular-season game at Idaho's new home of Idaho Central Credit Union Arena.[19] The Beach won 95–89 in overtime.[20]

On March 11, 2024, the school announced that they would be parting ways with Monson at the end of the season.[21] Six days after the announcement, Long Beach State won the 2024 Big West tournament earning the team an automatic berth to the 2024 NCAA Tournament.[22]

In all, Monson led The Beach to postseason play six times (with two appearances in the NCAA Tournament), won the Big West Conference tournament twice and the regular season title three times and was named Big West Conference Coach of Year award three times.

Head coaching record

[edit]
Statistics overview
Season Team Overall Conference Standing Postseason
Gonzaga Bulldogs (West Coast Conference) (1997–1999)
1997–98 Gonzaga 24–10 10–4 1st NIT Second Round
1998–99 Gonzaga 28–7 12–2 1st NCAA Division I Elite Eight
Gonzaga: 52–17 (.754) 22–6 (.786)
Minnesota Golden Gophers (Big Ten Conference) (1999–2006)
1999–00 Minnesota 12–16 4–12 10th
2000–01 Minnesota 18–14 5–11 9th NIT Second Round
2001–02 Minnesota 18–13 9–7 6th NIT Second Round
2002–03 Minnesota 19–14 8–8 T–6th NIT Fourth Place
2003–04 Minnesota 12–18 3–13 T–10th
2004–05 Minnesota 21–11 10–6 T–4th NCAA Division I Round of 64
2005–06 Minnesota 16–15 5–11 10th NIT Second Round
2006–07 Minnesota 2–5 0–0
Minnesota: 118–106 (.527) 44–68 (.393)
Long Beach State 49ers/Beach (Big West Conference) (2007–2024)
2007–08 Long Beach State 6–25 3–13 8th
2008–09 Long Beach State 15–15 10–6 2nd
2009–10 Long Beach State 17–16 8–8 3rd
2010–11 Long Beach State 22–12 14–2 1st NIT First Round
2011–12 Long Beach State 25–9 15–1 1st NCAA Division I Round of 64
2012–13 Long Beach State 19–14 14–4 1st NIT First Round
2013–14 Long Beach State 15–17 10–6 3rd
2014–15 Long Beach State 16–17 10–6 4th
2015–16 Long Beach State 20–15 12–4 3rd NIT First Round
2016–17 Long Beach State 15–19 9–7 4th
2017–18 Long Beach State 15–18 9–7 5th
2018–19 Long Beach State 15–19 8–8 5th
2019–20 Long Beach State 11–21 6–10 T–7th
2020–21 Long Beach State 6–12 4–8 10th
2021–22 Long Beach State 20–13 12–3 1st NIT First Round
2022–23 Long Beach State 17–16 11–9 7th
2023–24 Long Beach State 21–15 10–10 T–5th NCAA Division I Round of 64
Long Beach State: 275–273 (.502) 166–112 (.597)
Eastern Washington Eagles (Big Sky Conference) (2024–Present)
2024–25 Eastern Washington 10–22 6–12 8th
Eastern Washington: 10–22 (.313) 6–12 (.333)
Total: 455–418 (.521)

      National champion         Postseason invitational champion  
      Conference regular season champion         Conference regular season and conference tournament champion
      Division regular season champion       Division regular season and conference tournament champion
      Conference tournament champion

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Dan Monson

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Dan Monson (born October 6, 1961) is an American coach who has served as of multiple Division I programs, most notably elevating to national prominence in the late 1990s before leading the and to sustained success; as of 2025, he is in his second season as at , where he grew up and began his deep ties to the region's community. The son of longtime coach Don Monson, who led the University of Idaho to the 1982 NCAA Tournament and later coached at the , Dan spent his early years in , including stints in Pasco and Cheney while his father coached high school and college teams in the area. After graduating from the in 1985 with a degree in , Monson began his coaching career as a graduate assistant at the in 1986, spending two seasons there before joining as an assistant coach in 1988 and being promoted to in 1997. Married to Darci with four children—including daughters Mollie and McKenna—Monson has emphasized family alongside his professional pursuits throughout his career. Monson first gained widespread recognition as head coach at Gonzaga from 1997 to 2000, compiling a 52-17 record and guiding the Bulldogs to their first NCAA Tournament appearance in 1999, where they advanced to the Elite Eight as a No. 12 seed. He then moved to Minnesota in 2000 on a lucrative contract, posting an 118-106 mark over seven seasons and leading the Golden Gophers to three NIT appearances, though the program faced challenges including NCAA sanctions. From 2007 to 2024 at Long Beach State, Monson became the program's winningest coach with over 250 victories, securing four Big West Conference regular-season titles, seven top-three finishes, and an NCAA Tournament berth in 2012; his tenure culminated dramatically when, after an initial announcement of his firing, the 49ers earned an automatic bid to the 2024 NCAA Tournament by winning the Big West Tournament. Hired by his alma mater Eastern Washington in April 2024 following the Long Beach State saga, Monson has overseen 13 postseason appearances across his career, including four NCAA bids (1999, 2005, 2012, 2024) and nine NIT trips, amassing a 455-419 overall record entering the 2025-26 season. In October 2025, Monson mourned the passing of his father Don, a pivotal figure in his basketball journey.

Early life and education

Childhood and family background

Dan Monson was born on October 6, 1961, in Spokane, Washington. He is the son of Donald Lloyd "Don" Monson, a prominent coach, and Deanna Monson. Don Monson led the from 1978 to 1983, compiling a 100-41 record, and the from 1983 to 1992, where he posted a 116-145 mark over nine seasons. The family had three children: Dana in 1960, Dan in 1961, and Darla in 1965. Monson spent his early childhood in , particularly in Cheney, where his father served as head coach at Cheney High School during the 1960s. Don Monson's high school coaching tenure, which spanned 18 seasons across several institutions, including Cheney, often required the family to relocate frequently within the . This nomadic lifestyle immersed young Dan in culture from an early age; he traveled to games with his father, lived in university housing during college coaching stints, and absorbed the demands of the profession firsthand. The family's later moves, such as to , further reinforced this environment of structure and closeness tied to coaching life. Don Monson passed away on October 1, 2025, at the age of 92. In public reflections, Dan described his father as a profound mentor whose influence extended beyond , shaping his own values and career path in the sport. He noted growing up "in his shadow, but in his realm of life," highlighting the lasting impact of Don's guidance on communities and family alike. This family legacy would later inform Dan Monson's own distinguished coaching roles.

College playing career

Dan Monson attended the from 1981 to 1985, where he majored in . He briefly played football for as a , but a injury ended his playing career at the university. His father, Don Monson, had served as head coach of the team from 1978 to 1983, leading to the 1982 championship and an NCAA Tournament appearance that year, including a run to the Sweet Sixteen. Monson graduated with a in 1985 and, influenced by his family's longstanding heritage—including his father's legacy—chose to pursue a career in rather than continuing as a player.

Coaching career

Assistant coaching positions

Monson began his collegiate coaching career as a coach at the (UAB) from 1986 to 1988 under head coach . In this role, he focused on player development and recruiting, contributing to UAB's successful teams that posted records of 21-11 in 1986-87 and 16-15 in 1987-88 during his tenure. In 1988, Monson joined as a full-time assistant coach under head coach Dan Fitzgerald, a position he held until 1997, with promotion to associate head coach in 1994. His responsibilities included recruiting top talent, developing defensive schemes, and team preparation, which helped elevate the program from status to consistent competitiveness, as evidenced by Gonzaga's 154-105 record (.595 winning percentage) from 1988 to 1997 under Fitzgerald. joined the staff as an assistant in 1989, working alongside Monson to support the program's growth during the . Following Dan Fitzgerald's retirement in 1997, Monson transitioned to head coach at Gonzaga.

Gonzaga Bulldogs

Dan Monson was appointed head coach of the Gonzaga Bulldogs men's basketball team in 1997 at the age of 35, succeeding his longtime mentor Dan Fitzgerald after serving three prior seasons as associate head coach at the university. In his two seasons leading the program, Monson compiled an overall record of 52-17, achieving a .754 and elevating Gonzaga from a team to national prominence. His first year (1997-98) ended with a 24-10 mark, including a (WCC) regular-season championship with a 12-2 league record. In the 1998-99 season, the Bulldogs went 28-7 overall and 14-0 in WCC play, securing both the regular-season and tournament titles before making their second NCAA Tournament appearance as a No. 10 seed in the West Region. Gonzaga advanced to the for the program's first time, defeating No. 7 75-63 in the first round, No. 2 Stanford 82-74 in the second round, and No. 6 101-90 in the Sweet 16 before falling to eventual national champion UConn 78-65. In July 1999, during his tenure, Monson served as an assistant coach for the USA team at the Men's World University Games in , , under head coach , where the squad won the gold medal. Monson focused on strategic recruiting to build a competitive roster, landing key talents such as forward Casey Calvary from Colorado State and guard Richie Frahm, who contributed significantly to the 1999 run with his sharpshooting. These additions, combined with up-and-coming players like Matt Santangelo, helped foster a team-oriented style that emphasized pace and perimeter shooting. In July 1999, amid growing expectations and overtures from larger programs, Monson departed for the head coaching position at , leaving the Gonzaga program on an upward trajectory for his assistant , who succeeded him and guided the team to further success.

Minnesota Golden Gophers

Dan Monson was hired as the head coach of the men's basketball team in July 1999, leaving his position at Gonzaga after leading the Bulldogs to an upset victory over Minnesota in the first round of that year's NCAA Tournament. He replaced , whose resignation stemmed from an NCAA investigation into academic misconduct within the program. Monson's appointment came amid significant sanctions, including scholarship reductions and recruiting limitations, as the university sought to rebuild a program tarnished by the scandal. Throughout his tenure, Monson faced persistent challenges from the fallout of the 1999 academic scandal, which involved fabricated classes and improper payments to players by a booster, resulting in NCAA that lasted until 2005. The probation restricted the program's ability to offer scholarships and host recruits on campus, complicating efforts to assemble competitive rosters in the demanding . Despite these hurdles, Monson guided the Gophers to a 118–106 overall record (.527 winning percentage) across nearly eight seasons, achieving five winning campaigns. His teams emphasized an up-tempo style of play, focusing on defensive intensity and balanced scoring to overcome the limitations. Key achievements included four appearances in the (NIT) during the 2000–01, 2001–02, 2002–03, and 2005–06 seasons, with the 2002–03 team advancing to the NIT semifinals in . The pinnacle came in 2004–05, when the Gophers posted a 21–11 record, secured a No. 7 seed in the NCAA Tournament, defeated Utah State in the first round, and fell to Iowa State in the second round—the program's first NCAA appearance since 1997. These successes provided moments of stability amid the probation's constraints, though the team struggled with consistency in Big Ten play, never finishing higher than fifth in the conference standings. Monson resigned on , , following a 2–5 start to the 2006–07 season, amid mounting pressure from the lingering effects of the and declining performance that included back-to-back losing Big Ten records. The decision was framed as a mutual agreement with Joel Maturi to allow a fresh start for the program, though reports indicated university leadership had considered his dismissal earlier in the year. Under interim coach Jim Molinari, the Gophers rebounded to a 20–14 finish and earned an NIT bid, but Monson's departure marked the end of his efforts to restore the program's reputation.

Long Beach State 49ers

Dan Monson was hired as the of the Long Beach State 49ers men's basketball team on April 7, 2007, tasked with rebuilding the program following Dan Goebbel's tenure, which had ended amid NCAA sanctions for violations. Drawing from his experience managing program transitions at , Monson inherited a depleted roster and implemented an up-tempo offensive style to revitalize the team. Over his 17 seasons from 2007-08 to 2023-24, he compiled an overall record of 275-274 (.501 winning percentage), becoming the program's all-time winningest coach. Under Monson's leadership, Long Beach State achieved significant success in the , securing four regular-season titles in 2010-11, 2011-12, 2012-13, and 2021-22. The team made 11 postseason appearances, including two NCAA Tournament berths in 2011-12 (losing in the first round to Iowa State) and 2023-24. Key contributors included Mike Caffey, a two-time All-Big West selection who averaged 15.6 points and 6.1 assists per game in 2014-15, and guard , who transferred in and led the team in scoring during the 2022-23 season with 17.0 . These efforts emphasized fast-paced play, helping the 49ers compete consistently in a conference. The 2023-24 season highlighted Monson's impact, as the team finished 21-15 overall (10-10 in Big West play) and won the conference tournament with victories over UC Irvine, , and UC Davis to earn an NCAA bid. In the tournament's first round as a No. 15 seed, Long Beach State faced No. 2 seed but fell 85-65, ending a remarkable run. Despite this postseason success, Long Beach State and Monson mutually agreed to part ways on March 11, 2024, as his contract was set to expire at the end of the season, with the athletic department seeking a new direction amid ongoing leadership changes. The decision came after a midseason five-game losing streak, though the athletic director noted it was intended to motivate the team, leading to their improbable conference title. Monson's tenure stabilized a program prone to turnover, fostering consistent competitiveness over nearly two decades.

Eastern Washington Eagles

Dan Monson was hired as the 20th head coach of the Eastern Washington Eagles men's basketball team on April 12, 2024, marking his fourth Division I head coaching position and replacing David Riley during a program rebuild following back-to-back Big Sky Conference regular-season titles. The appointment held deep personal significance for Monson, representing a homecoming to , where he grew up, and allowing him to return to his regional roots after entering the role with 445 career Division I wins over 27 seasons. In his first season (2024–25), the Eagles finished 10–22 overall (6–12 in Big Sky play), placing 8th in the conference with no postseason appearance. Monson built a competitive staff, including the promotion of Alex Hobbs to assistant coach and the addition of Richie Frahm as special assistant to the on April 24, 2025. Entering the 2025–26 season with a career record of 455–418, Monson's focus has been on roster overhauls—adding six transfers and two freshmen during the offseason—and pursuing postseason goals in the , building on regional ties such as scheduling games against the , where his father Don once coached. As of November 2025, in the midst of his second season, the program prioritizes establishing a strong culture amid an ongoing rebuild.

Personal life

Immediate family

Dan Monson met his future wife, Darci Banta, on a arranged in Spokane while both attended the , where Monson played and Banta competed in . The couple married on August 7, 1999, in Spokane, Washington. Monson and Darci have four children: sons MicGuire and Maddox, and daughters Mollie and McKenna. The family relocated multiple times due to Monson's coaching career, with the children spending their early years in during his tenure with the Golden Gophers from 1999 to 2007, followed by a move to in 2007 when he joined Long Beach State, where the younger children grew up and attended local schools. Throughout the children's childhood, Monson abstained from alcohol to ensure he could prioritize family time and be fully present for them. The family provided strong support during Monson's career transitions, including the 2024 move from Long Beach State back to Washington to coach at , a that allowed sons Maddox and MicGuire to join the program—Maddox as a player after transferring from Long Beach State, and MicGuire as an assistant coach following his graduate assistant role there. This relocation strengthened family bonds, as Darci maintains ties in the Spokane area, and the decision echoed earlier moves influenced by family considerations, such as leaving Gonzaga in 1999 to better support his marriage and young children.

Basketball heritage and influences

Dan Monson's basketball heritage is deeply rooted in his father, Don Monson, a longtime high school and college coach whose philosophy emphasized integrity, ethical decision-making, and holistic player development over mere wins. Don, who led the to their only NCAA Sweet 16 in 1982, instilled in Dan the importance of building genuine relationships with players, viewing coaching as a means to positively impact their lives beyond the court. This approach influenced Dan's own style, which prioritizes player growth and team unity, as seen in his adoption of defensive fundamentals and motion offenses that foster . Shared experiences, such as family fishing trips on and pickup games where young Dan played alongside future stars like under Don's guidance, reinforced these lessons, blending personal bonding with practical instruction. In a 2025 interview following Don's passing, Dan reflected publicly on his father's profound influence, describing him as an "idol" whose life exemplified resilience amid coaching setbacks, such as program rebuilds at and . Dan credited Don's unwavering ethical stance and ability to adapt—welcoming diverse players in the 1960s Pasco community when rare—as key to his own perseverance through career challenges, including abrupt departures from Gonzaga and . He portrayed Don not just as a father but as a "role model and mentor," whose lessons in handling adversity with honesty and hard work shaped Dan's capacity to rebound and rebuild programs, like his return to the at . The Monson family's generational ties to basketball were highlighted in Eastern Washington's 2025 Big Sky Conference matchups against , Don's former program, where Dan coached the Eagles to a narrow 75-73 on February 15. This game underscored the family's enduring legacy, with Dan's son Maddox, a guard on the EWU roster, contributing to the team's effort against the school his grandfather transformed. These contests symbolized the Monsons' contributions to basketball, from Don's high school successes in Washington to Dan's elevations of programs at Gonzaga and Long Beach State, perpetuating a tradition of regional excellence and family involvement in the sport. Beyond his father's shadow, Dan's coaching style was further shaped by early mentors, including , under whom he served as a at UAB from to , learning foundational program-building techniques. At Gonzaga, where he assisted Dan Fitzgerald for nine seasons starting in , Monson absorbed strategies for player empowerment and adaptive defenses that became hallmarks of his head coaching tenures. These influences complemented Don's personal guidance, enabling Dan to blend relational depth with tactical innovation throughout his career.

Achievements and records

Awards and honors

Throughout his coaching career, Dan Monson has earned five conference Coach of the Year honors, recognizing his leadership in achieving nine conference championships across multiple programs. At , Monson was named the (WCC) Coach of the Year in 1998 after guiding the Bulldogs to the conference title and a memorable run to the NCAA Tournament's the following year. Monson received four Big West Conference Coach of the Year awards during his tenure at Long Beach State University, in 2011 for leading the team to the regular-season championship, 2012 and 2013 for back-to-back regular-season titles, and 2022 for securing another regular-season crown after the team was projected to finish eighth. In addition, Monson was selected as the National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC) All-District 9 Coach of the Year in both 2011 and 2012 for his success with Long Beach State, including conference titles and postseason appearances. While Monson has not received major national coaching awards, such as the NABC Coach of the Year, his postseason achievements include Long Beach State's 2024 NCAA Tournament appearance, where the team mounted a competitive effort against top-seeded following an improbable Big West Tournament run.

Head coaching record

Dan Monson's head coaching record stands at 456 wins and 422 losses (.519 winning percentage) across 29 seasons at the Division I level as of November 19, 2025, including the ongoing 2025–26 season at .

By Program

Monson began his head coaching career at from 1997 to 1999, compiling a 52–17 record (.754 winning percentage). He then coached the from 1999 to 2007, achieving 118–106 (.527). At from 2007 to 2024, he recorded 275–273 (.502), becoming the program's all-time winningest coach. Since 2024, at , his record is 11–26 (.297) through the partial 2025–26 season.
ProgramYears ActiveOverall RecordWinning %
1997–199952–17.754
1999–2007118–106.527
Long Beach State 49ers2007–2024275–273.502
2024–present11–26.297
Career Total456–422.519

Conference Records

In conference play, Monson posted 25–7 in the at Gonzaga. At Minnesota in the , his record was 55–57. He achieved 147–131 in the during his tenure at Long Beach State. At Eastern Washington in the , the record stands at 6–12 through the 2024–25 season, with no conference games played in the early 2025–26 schedule.
ConferenceProgramRecordWinning %
WCCGonzaga25–7.781
Big Ten55–57.491
Big WestLong Beach State147–131.529
Big Sky6–12.333

Postseason Record

Monson has a 7–11 overall postseason record, including four NCAA Tournament appearances with a 3–4 mark, including three wins en route to the in 1999 at Gonzaga and first-round losses in the other three. He also led teams to nine NIT appearances, posting a 6–7 record therein. No postseason play has occurred under his tenure at as of November 2025. In the 2025–26 season at , the Eagles are 1–4 through non-conference games as of November 19, 2025, with losses to UCLA (74–80 on November 3), Loyola Marymount (62–70 on November 5), (97–102 in overtime on November 8), and Seattle U (67–94 on November 12), and a win over (91–73 on November 17).

References

  1. https://www.sports-reference.com/cbb/coaches/dan-monson-1.html
  2. https://goeags.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/coaches/dan-monson/712
  3. https://www.spokesman.com/stories/2024/apr/13/this-is-where-my-family-grew-up-new-ewu-coach-dan-/
  4. https://www.swxlocalsports.com/tri-cities-yakima/dan-monson-has-fond-memories-of-pasco/article_b802834c-09d5-11ef-8dd5-7bbc36ad03fc.html
  5. https://goeags.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/coaches/dan-monson/593
  6. https://www.spokesman.com/stories/2025/feb/13/eastern-washington-idaho-game-ties-generations-of-/
  7. https://longbeachstate.com/news/2007/9/2/Monson_Enjoying_New_Gig
  8. https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/5348619/2024/03/17/long-beach-state-ncaa-tournament-dan-monson/
  9. https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/sports/wp/2017/03/31/dan-monson-the-man-who-built-gonzaga-basketball-still-has-no-regrets-about-leaving/
  10. https://longbeachstate.com/coaches.aspx?rc=425&path=mbball
  11. https://goeags.com/news/2024/4/12/mens-basketball-dan-monson-named-mens-basketballs-head-coach.aspx
  12. https://hoopdirt.com/dan-monson-named-head-basketball-coach-at-eastern-washington/
  13. https://www.swxlocalsports.com/spokane/eastern-washington/dan-monson-reflects-on-his-fathers-life-legendary-idaho-coach-don-monson/article_0bd4617d-6e10-48d4-85fe-85d9b9f37de9.html
  14. https://www.nbclosangeles.com/news/sports/ncaab/dan-monson-fired-ncaa-coach-lbsu-march-madness/3368587/
  15. https://govandals.com/news/2025/10/3/general-idaho-mourns-the-passing-of-vandal-legend-basketball-coach-don-monson.aspx
  16. https://www.sports-reference.com/cbb/coaches/don-monson-1.html
  17. https://www.spokesman.com/stories/2025/oct/02/legendary-idaho-basketball-coach-don-monson-dies-a/
  18. https://cdapress.com/news/2025/oct/03/don-monson-1933-2025-former-coeur-dalene-high-star-guided-idaho-mens-basketball-in-its-glory-years/
  19. https://www.spokesman.com/stories/2025/oct/02/a-father-figure-to-so-many-of-his-players-legendar/
  20. https://www.uiargonaut.com/2025/10/04/more-than-a-coach-don-monson-dies-at-92-a-vandal-until-the-end/
  21. https://goeags.com/staff-directory/dan-monson/276
  22. https://govandals.com/news/2021/8/20/mens-basketball-vandals-to-host-long-beach-state-to-open-season-in-iccu-arena.aspx
  23. https://longbeachstate.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/coaches/dan-monson/425
  24. https://www.wenatcheeworld.com/sports/college/big-mons-and-little-mons-basketball-was-front-and-center-but-bond-between-don-and/article_ea981304-2dfb-11ef-b0cb-3708a8b3ddc2.html
  25. https://www.nopactalent.com/speaker/dan-monson.php
  26. https://www.sports-reference.com/cbb/schools/alabama-birmingham/men/1987.html
  27. https://www.sports-reference.com/cbb/schools/alabama-birmingham/men/1988.html
  28. https://gophersports.com/news/1999/7/24/MONSON_NAMED_MINNESOTA_MEN_S_BASKETBALL_COACH
  29. https://www.sports-reference.com/cbb/coaches/dan-fitzgerald-3.html
  30. https://www.spokesman.com/stories/2024/jan/04/six-moments-to-immortality-the-events-that-shaped-/
  31. https://sports.yahoo.com/why-the-coach-who-launched-gonzagas-dynasty-has-no-regrets-about-leaving-it-behind-152128964.html
  32. https://www.ncaa.com/news/basketball-men/article/2020-05-06/1999-ncaa-tournament-bracket-scores-stats-records
  33. https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/story?id=19048734
  34. https://www.startribune.com/gonzaga-basketball-program-is-built-to-last/417737063
  35. https://www.nytimes.com/1999/07/25/sports/plus-basketball-colleges-gonzaga-s-monson-hired-by-minnesota.html
  36. https://www.mprnews.org/story/2006/11/30/monsonresigns
  37. https://www.espn.com/ncb/news/2000/1023/835120.html
  38. https://www.spokesman.com/stories/2005/mar/13/monson-digs-his-gophers-out-of-hole/
  39. https://gophersports.com/news/2006/11/30/Dan_Monson_Resigns_as_Golden_Gopher_Men_s_Basketball_Coach
  40. https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/sidearm.nextgen.sites/gophersports.com/documents/2011/7/13/_minn_m_baskbl_2006_7_misc_non_event__m-baskbl-media-guide-0607-sec3.pdf
  41. https://gophersports.com/news/2005/4/19/MBB_2004_05_Men_s_Basketball_Final_Release
  42. https://www.spokesman.com/stories/2006/dec/01/slump-leads-to-monsons-departure/
  43. https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2007-apr-07-sp-newswire7-story.html
  44. https://www.sports-reference.com/cbb/schools/long-beach-state/men/2024.html
  45. https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/boxscore/_/gameId/401638583
  46. https://longbeachstate.com/news/2024/3/11/mens-basketball-beach-athletics-and-mens-basketball-head-coach-dan-monson-mutually-agree-to-separation
  47. https://www.latimes.com/sports/story/2024-03-17/ncaa-tournament-dan-monson-long-beach-state
  48. https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/story/_/id/39777794/long-beach-state-ad-says-fired-dan-monson-inspire-team
  49. https://www.presstelegram.com/2024/03/11/long-beach-state-basketball-coach-dan-monson-parting-ways/
  50. https://www.spokesman.com/stories/2024/apr/12/eastern-washington-hires-dan-monson-who-got-his-st/
  51. https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/story/_/id/39930994/monson-hired-ewu-leading-long-beach-ncaa-tournament
  52. https://www.swxlocalsports.com/spokane/eastern-washington/dan-monson-brings-unprecedented-amount-of-relationships-to-ewu-as-he-looks-to-build-a/article_e6f5b094-fb83-11ee-b6bc-678049ef96cb.html
  53. https://www.sports-reference.com/cbb/schools/eastern-washington/men/2025.html
  54. https://goeags.com/news/2025/4/24/mens-basketball-monson-adds-three-to-his-coaching-staff.aspx
  55. https://www.swxlocalsports.com/spokane/idaho/big-sky-releases-idaho-mens-basketball-2024-25-conference-schedule/article_ea630dee-452f-11ef-8123-ffdec735fd66.html
  56. https://goeags.com/news/2025/10/22/mens-basketball-eagles-picked-in-the-middle-of-the-pack-in-big-sky-preseason-polls.aspx
  57. https://www.spokesman.com/stories/2025/oct/31/ewu-men-look-to-bounce-back-after-young-team-was-r/
  58. https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/story/_/id/33362234/long-beach-state-dan-monson-much-more-coach-left-gonzaga-basketball-23-years-ago
  59. https://conservancy.umn.edu/bitstreams/925d6f80-274d-4b14-8201-b2bea8ce97fc/download
  60. https://www.spokesman.com/stories/2025/feb/13/eastern-washington-idaho-game-ties-generations-of/
  61. https://goeags.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/maddox-monson/9536
  62. https://goeags.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/coaches/micguire-monson/624
  63. https://www.inlander.com/culture/q-a-former-gonzaga-head-coach-dan-monson-returns-to-the-pnw-sidelines-to-lead/article_0ee775ca-1768-5736-96e3-d0f75a95079f.html
  64. https://www.spokesman.com/stories/2024/jun/15/big-mons-and-little-mons-basketball-was-front-and-/
  65. https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/game/_/gameId/401718487/idaho-e-washington
  66. https://goeags.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster
  67. https://www.spokesman.com/stories/2025/jan/16/with-eyes-to-the-past-and-legendary-coach-don-mons/
  68. https://www.spokesman.com/stories/1998/feb/28/wcc-takes-notice-of-gu-pair-hendrix-named-player/
  69. https://bigwest.org/news/2011/3/7/IMPORTED_STORY_14606_14606.aspx
  70. https://bigwest.org/story.asp?STORY_ID=15594
  71. https://longbeachstate.com/news/2013/3/11/monson_named_big_west_coach_of_the_year_ennis_named_player_of_the_year
  72. https://bigwest.org/news/2022/3/7/big-west-unveils-2021-22-mens-basketball-all-conference-team.aspx
  73. https://longbeachstate.com/news/2011/3/21/Monson_named_All_District_9_Coach_by_NABC
  74. https://longbeachstate.com/news/2012/3/21/Monson_named_NABC_All_District_9_Coach
  75. https://www.the562.org/2024/03/17/long-beach-state-mens-basketball-wins-big-west-tournament-for-coach-dan-monson/
  76. https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/team/schedule/_/id/331/eastern-washington-eagles
  77. https://goeags.com/news/2025/11/8/mens-basketball-eagles-push-colorado-to-overtime-in-thrilling-102-97-loss.aspx
  78. https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/game/_/gameId/401823500/e-washington-seattle-u
  79. https://goeags.com/news/2025/11/18/mens-basketball-balanced-attack-lifts-eastern-washington-past-eastern-oregon.aspx
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