"Formerly Fired Coach Dan Monson Guides Long Beach State to March Madness Upset"
Despite being fired just days before, Dan Monson led Long Beach State to the NCAA Tournament after an unexpected run in the Big West Conference Tournament, securing their first spot in March Madness since 2012. The team's turnaround included victories over UC Riverside, UC Irvine, and UC Davis, culminating in a 74-70 win in the championship game. Monson, a successful coach with previous stints at Gonzaga and Minnesota, has once again demonstrated his ability to win in March despite the recent firing.