Ranking the Coaches in the WCC
By Josh Horton
Mar 20, 2013; Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Gonzaga Bulldogs head coach Mark Few looks on during practice the day before the second round of the 2013 NCAA tournament at EnergySolutions Arena. Mandatory Credit: Steve Dykes-USA TODAY Sports
No. 1- Mark Few (Gonzaga)
By Josh Horton (Twitter Handle: @WestCoastConvo)
Mark Few is entering his 14th season as the head coach of the Gonzaga Bulldogs this season, and he has been named the number one coach in the West Coast Conference, mostly due to his vast success that he has experienced during his time at Gonzaga. Although Few wasn’t a part of the famous 1998-1999 squad that made a Cinderella run to the Elite Eight, he was an integral part of Dan Munson’s coaching staff. While looking back at that game, Few is clearly seen barking things to the players in the huddle and giving point guard Matt Santangelo directions. After Munson left for Minnesota, and Few was given the head coaching job in 1999, the program has risen to even bigger heights. During his tenure, Few has 12 regular season WCC titles, and 11 WCC tournament titles. He has brought the Zags to the NCAA tournament in every single year that he has been the head honcho at Gonzaga.
Mark Few has taken some criticism for the NCAA tournament performances, and deservingly so: some Gonzaga teams have underperformed in the tournament. Last season, the number one ranked Bulldogs bowed out the tournament prematurely when they lost to ninth ranked Wichita State in the second round. Gonzaga fans are still anticipating when Few will take the Zags to the final four.
Despite the criticism, Few has the best track record of any WCC conference coach, and it is not even close. Gonzaga fans have felt comfortable with Few at the helm, and are anticipating some even greater success in the coming years.