Monson at a practice in 2008. Photo by Ryan ZumMallen

Long Beach State men’s basketball coach Dan Monson has signed a contract extension that will keep him leading the 49ers through the 2015-16 season, the program announced today. The terms of the deal were not disclosed, although in the final two years of his previous contract Monson earned just over $150,788 in 2008, and just over $148,464 in 2009 according to the SacBee.com State Worker Salary database.

Monson came to Long Beach in 2007 and amassed a 38-56 overall record in his three seasons, but with notable improvement in 2008-09 when the 49ers finished second in the Big West conference, and in 2009-10 when the team reached the Conference Tournament Championship and nearly earned a trip to the NCAA Tournament. He has been credited with taking long-term steps to improve the program’s notoriety such as scheduling games against Top 25 teams and competitive recruiting around the country.

“Dan has done a terrific job of building a strong foundation for the basketball program, and uninterrupted leadership is critical for long term success,” Cegles said. “He has become an integral part of the community and we are pleased to have a renewed commitment to the 49ers and our pursuit of championships and national recognition.”

Monson previously gained national attention as the head coach of Gonzaga during their improbable runs deep into the NCAA Tournament in the late 1990’s. After two highly successful seasons he agreed to coach the University of Minnesota in the higher-profile Big Ten Conference. But the program was handcuffed by sanctions when he arrived and though Monson won 118 games in his seven-plus seasons, he resigned in 2007. A few months later he signed to coach Long Beach State through the 2013 season. The recently-signed extension is actually a brand new deal that replaces the old one and will keep Monson in Long Beach for at least the next five seasons.

“What you find out in this business is that it comes down to relationships,” Monson said in a press release.  “Relationships are no good if the people you work for don’t feel the same way you do.  My family and myself are extremely comfortable here, feel very fortunate to work here and just love being a part of Long Beach State and the community.  For an administration to feel the same as far as giving you an extension to stay here, that they believe in you gives you great confidence to do the job.  My family and I are extremely excited and we can hopefully settle in and concentrate on getting this program where the whole university and community are extremely proud and hopefully bring some championships.”

Monson enters this season with higher expectations than any of his other years in Long Beach. The 49ers will be led by four juniors that were Monson’s crowning achievement when they all agreed to attend Long Beach State, and by most accounts have exceeded expectations in their first two seasons. After consecutive seasons of competing for a Conference Championship but coming up just short – and especially with the addition of several new players expected to raise the bar – the pressure is on Long Beach this year.