Long Beach State's men's basketball team secured a spot in the NCAA Tournament on Saturday night, defying the odds and providing a thrilling end to their rollercoaster season. The Beach emerged victorious with a 74-70 win against UC Davis in the championship game of the Big West Tournament.

This accomplishment comes amidst the backdrop of the surprising firing of coach Dan Monson just days before the tournament. Long Beach State previously announced a "mutual separation" with Monson, who had been at the helm of the program since the 2007-08 season. However, the university made the decision for Monson to continue coaching the team throughout the postseason before his departure in 2024-25.

Despite a disheartening string of five consecutive losses in the regular season leading to Monson's firing, Long Beach State demonstrated resilience and determination in the tournament. They defeated UC Riverside, the top-seeded UC Irvine, and finally UC Davis, the second seed, to clinch the Big West championship.

In a postgame interview with ESPN, Monson expressed admiration for his team, stating, "These kids have been awesome to coach." He humorously referred to Jim Harbaugh's famous line about who has it better, saying, "Someone needs to tell him: Dan Monson."

Monson's coaching career has had its fair share of notable moments. He was instrumental in initiating Gonzaga's ascent to national prominence, leading the team on a remarkable Cinderella run to the Elite Eight in 1999. Following this success, Monson moved on to Minnesota, making way for Mark Few's eventual rise as Gonzaga's head coach. Monson revealed that Few had reached out to him recently, suggesting they aim for success in their first and last seasons together.

Despite being fired, Monson expressed a continued passion for coaching and revealed his desire for a new challenge. "I don't think it's my last year," he stated. "I love coaching. I love teams. I need a new challenge. That's life - it's on to the next chapter."

Now, Long Beach State and their fired-but-still-working coach are preparing for the excitement of the NCAA Tournament. For Monson and the team, this journey marks their first appearance in March Madness since 2011.

The remarkable turnaround and the team's resilience in the face of adversity have catapulted Long Beach State into the national spotlight. As they gear up for the upcoming NCAA Tournament, the Beach aims to showcase their prowess and prove that they deserve their place among college basketball's elite.