View source for Don Monson

{{Short description|American college basketball coach}}
{{for|his son and current basketball coach|Dan Monson}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=June 2025}}
{{Infobox college coach
| name = Don Monson
| image = 
| alt = 
| caption = 
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1933|4|11}}
| birth_place = [[Menahga, Minnesota]], U.S.
| death_date = 
| death_place = 
| alma_mater = 
| player_years1 = 1951–1955
| player_team1 = [[Idaho Vandals men's basketball|Idaho]]
| player_positions = [[Guard (basketball)|Guard]], [[Forward (basketball)|forward]]
| coach_years1 = 1958–1967
| coach_team1 = [[Cheney School District|Cheney HS]]
| coach_years2 = 1967–1976
| coach_team2 = [[Pasco High School (Washington)|Pasco HS]]
| coach_years3 = 1976–1978
| coach_team3 = [[Michigan State Spartans men's basketball|Michigan State]] (assistant)
| coach_years4 = 1978–1983
| coach_team4 = [[Idaho Vandals men's basketball|Idaho]]
| coach_years5 = 1983–1992
| coach_team5 = [[Oregon Ducks men's basketball|Oregon]]
| coach_years6 = 1993
| coach_team6 = [[Adelaide 36ers]]
| overall_record = 266–134 (high school)<br/>216–186 (college)<br/>14–14 ([[National Basketball League (Australia)|NBL (Australia)]])
| bowl_record = 
| tournament_record = 1–2 ([[NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament|NCAA Division I]])<br>1–3 ([[National Invitation Tournament|NIT]])
| championships = 2 [[Big Sky Conference|Big Sky]] regular season (1981, 1982)<br/> 2 [[Big Sky Conference men's basketball tournament|Big Sky tournament]] ([[1981 Big Sky Conference men's basketball tournament|1981]], [[1982 Big Sky Conference men's basketball tournament|1982]])
| awards = [[NABC Coach of the Year]] (1982)<ref name=topcorec/><br/>2× Big Sky Coach of the Year (1981, 1982)
| coaching_records = 
}}
{{Infobox military person
|allegiance   = {{flagu|United States}}
|branch       = {{flag|United States Navy}}
|rank         = <!--[[File:US-O1 insignia.svg|15px]] [[Ensign (rank)#United States|Ensign]] -->
|battles      = [[Cold War]]
|unit         = <!-- Training --> [[United States naval districts#11th Naval District|11th Naval District]], [[Naval Base San Diego|San Diego]]
|serviceyears = 1955–1957 <!--estimated-->
|awards       = 
}}
'''Donald Lloyd Monson''' (born April 11, 1933)<ref name=drvtowin>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=ovhLAAAAIBAJ&pg=6805%2C4398250 |work=Spokesman-Review |location=(Spokane, Washington) |last=Devlin |first=Vince |title=Monson: Drive to win is way of life |date=March 11, 1982 |page=26}}</ref> is an American former [[college basketball]] [[head coach]] and the father of head coach [[Dan Monson]].  He was a high school [[head coach]] for 18 seasons and college [[head coach]] for 14 seasons: five at [[Idaho Vandals men's basketball|Idaho]] and nine at [[Oregon Ducks men's basketball|Oregon]]. He was selected by his peers as the national [[NABC Coach of the Year|coach of the year]] {{nowrap|in [[1981–82 NCAA Division I men's basketball season|1982]].<ref name=topcorec>{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=mhosAAAAIBAJ&pg=5665,5524187|newspaper=Times Daily|agency=UPI|title=Top coaches recognized|location=Florence, Alabama|date=March 28, 1982|page=28}}</ref>}} Monson spent 1993 in [[Australia]], coaching the [[Adelaide 36ers]] of the [[National Basketball League (Australia)|National Basketball League]].

==Early years==
Born in [[Menahga, Minnesota]], Monson moved with his family when he was in the second grade to [[Coeur d'Alene, Idaho|Coeur d'Alene]] in [[Idaho Panhandle|northern]] [[Idaho]].<ref name=monore>{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=8qZYAAAAIBAJ&pg=6402%2C4987575|newspaper=Eugene Register-Guard|location=Oregon|title=Monson accepts UO basketball job|last=Kayfes|first=Dave|date=March 21, 1983|page=1B}}</ref> During his sophomore year at [[Coeur d'Alene High School]], the Vikings won the state title under longtime coach Elmer Jordan, defeating [[Burley High School|Burley]] 53–43 in far-away [[Pocatello, Idaho|Pocatello]].<ref name=ejdies>{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=ltwnAAAAIBAJ&pg=6436%2C5686633|newspaper=Spokesman-Review|location=Spokane, Washington |last=Lee|first=Greg|title=North Idaho legend Jordan dies|date=January 9, 2007|page=C1}}</ref><ref name=jrdnmonsn>{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=B2pWAAAAIBAJ&pg=5359,5098214|newspaper=Spokesman-Review |location=Spokane, Washington |last=Lee|first=Greg|title=Monson recalls impact Coach Jordan had|date=January 18, 2007|page=C5}}</ref><ref>[http://www.idhsaa.org/Records/1011/BoysBasketball.pdf idhsaa.org] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120415082745/http://www.idhsaa.org/Records/1011/BoysBasketball.pdf |date=April 15, 2012 }}  records – Boys Basketball – state champions – 1917–2011 – accessed 2012-03-28</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=52pfAAAAIBAJ&pg=1528%2C1640136|newspaper=Lewiston Morning Tribune |location=Idaho |title=Vikings take state hoop title|last=Faris|first=Don|date=March 20, 1949|page=8}}</ref>

Monson graduated from high school in 1951 and then attended the [[Idaho Vandals men's basketball|University of Idaho]] in [[Moscow, Idaho|Moscow]], where he [[Letterman (sports)|lettered]] for three years in basketball and graduated {{nowrap|in 1955.<ref name=gem55mbb>{{cite web|url=http://issuu.com/uidahodigital/docs/gem1955/209 |publisher=Gem of the Mountains, University of Idaho yearbook|title=Basketball|year=1955|page=204}}</ref><ref name=gem55educ>{{cite web|url=http://issuu.com/uidahodigital/docs/gem1955/252 |publisher=Gem of the Mountains, University of Idaho yearbook|title=College of Education: seniors|year=1955|page=250}}</ref><ref name=livleg>{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=yM4zAAAAIBAJ&pg=2435,5451084|newspaper=Idaho Spokesman-Review |location=Spokane, Washington|title=Living legend|last=Skierka|first=Tom|date=March 17, 2001|page=14-Handle}}</ref>}} {{nowrap|[http://www.tomandrodna.com/1955_Vandals.jpg (team photo)]}} He played under Vandal head coach [[Charles Finley (coach)|Charles Finley]] through his junior year,<ref name=mspfihd>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=ki9WAAAAIBAJ&pg=4058%2C4568848 |work=Spokesman-Review |location=Spokane, Washington |title=Monson, Sather please Finley in hoop drills |date=November 26, 1953 |page=16}}</ref> then [[Harlan Hodges]] for his senior season.

==High school coach==
After a stint in the [[United States Navy|U.S. Navy]],<ref name=livleg/><ref name=werfam>{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=WJlfAAAAIBAJ&pg=4652%2C5614687|newspaper=Lewiston Morning Tribune|location=Idaho|title=We are family: Monsons are a team at home|last=Killen|first=John|date=March 14, 1982|page=8C}}</ref> Monson was a successful high school coach in [[Eastern Washington]], a [[head coach]] for 18 seasons from {{nowrap|1958–76,}} compiling a record of {{winning percentage|266|134|record=y}}. Monson first led [[Cheney High School (Washington)|Cheney High School]] for nine seasons with a {{nowrap|{{winning percentage|105|69|record=y}}}} record.  While in [[Cheney, Washington|Cheney]], southwest of nearby [[Spokane, Washington|Spokane]], he earned a master's degree at [[Eastern Washington University|Eastern Washington State College]].  In 1967, Monson moved southwest to [[Pasco, Washington|Pasco]] in the [[Tri-Cities, Washington|Tri-Cites]], where he led [[Pasco High School (Washington)|Pasco High]] for nine seasons and posted a {{nowrap|{{winning percentage|161|65|record=y}}}} record.<ref name=monlew>{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=88VeAAAAIBAJ&pg=5038%2C8447024|newspaper=Lewiston Morning Tribune |location=Idaho |title=Monson named UI basketball coach|date=August 23, 1978|page=1B}}</ref>

==College assistant==
Monson moved up to the collegiate ranks in [[1976–77 Michigan State Spartans men's basketball team|1976]] as an assistant under friend [[Jud Heathcote]] at [[Michigan State Spartans men's basketball|Michigan State]]. Heathcoate (1927–2017) was in his first year with the Spartans, hired after five seasons as head coach at [[Montana Grizzlies basketball|Montana]]; he was previously an assistant at [[Washington State Cougars men's basketball|Washington State]] in [[Pullman, Washington|Pullman]] and a high school head coach in the [[Spokane, Washington|Spokane]] area at [[West Valley High School (Spokane)|West Valley]]. The two had first crossed paths in December 1950, when Monson was a high school senior; he scored a dozen points and CDA defeated West Valley {{nowrap|35–25}} in Heathcote's first game as a {{nowrap|head coach.<ref name=drvtowin/><ref name=vdfwv>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=RtdYAAAAIBAJ&pg=4135%2C1811305 |work=Spokane Daily Chronicle |location=(Washington)|agency=Associated Press |title=Vikings defeat WV Eagles, 35-25 |date=December 6, 1950 |page=25}}</ref>}}

With the Spartans, Monson refined the {{nowrap|2–3}} matchup zone defense and was given credit for the recruitment of [[Magic Johnson|Earvin "Magic" Johnson]] to the Spartans in [[1977–78 Michigan State Spartans men's basketball team|1977]]. Monson stayed in [[East Lansing, Michigan|East Lansing]] for two seasons, leaving in August 1978 for the late vacancy at Idaho. The Spartans won the national championship [[1978–79 Michigan State Spartans men's basketball team|that season]], defeating the [[1978–79 Indiana State Sycamores men's basketball team|Indiana State Sycamores]], led by [[Larry Bird]], in the [[1979 NCAA Division I Basketball Championship Game|title game]] in [[Jon M. Huntsman Center|Salt Lake City]] in [[1979 NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament|1979]].

==Idaho Vandals==
Monson became a college [[head coach]] in August 1978 at the [[University of Idaho]], his [[alma mater]].<ref name=monlew/><ref name=mmhdeblun>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=9MVeAAAAIBAJ&pg=5248%2C8914376 |newspaper=Lewiston Morning Tribune |location=Idaho |title=Monson makes his debut at Idaho sports luncheon |last=Barrows |first=Bob |date=August 24, 1978 |page=3B }}</ref> In the early 1950s, he was a reserve guard for the [[Idaho Vandals men's basketball|Vandals]] who "never started one damn game here."   Monson took over a dismal Idaho basketball program from [[Jim Jarvis]], who resigned on July 1 after four poor seasons (26–78, {{winning percentage|26|78}}) and was under investigation by the NCAA for recruiting violations.<ref name=ivmg12>[http://www.govandals.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=17100&ATCLID=205331832 Go Vandals.com] – Basketball media guide – 2011–12 – p.&nbsp;75</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=PDgwAAAAIBAJ&pg=3321%2C1803724|newspaper=Spokane Daily Chronicle|location=Washington|title=Idaho post to Monson|date=August 22, 1978|page=15}}</ref> Jarvis' final team went just 4–22 ({{winning percentage|4|22}}) and 1–13 in conference play in 1978. The Vandals finished in last place in the eight-team [[Big Sky Conference|Big Sky]] every season under Jarvis and had finished no higher than sixth place for seven consecutive seasons.

The first season under Monson brought another last place finish {{nowrap|(4–10)}} in the [[Big Sky Conference|Big Sky]], their fifth straight, and an overall record of {{nowrap|11–15}} for the 1979 season, but the groundwork had begun. The next season, the  [[1979–80 Idaho Vandals men's basketball team|1980 Vandals]] finished second in the Big Sky {{nowrap|(9–5)}} and {{winning percentage|17|10|record=y}} overall. They swept [[<!--1979–80-->Montana Grizzlies basketball|Montana]] in the regular season, but lost to the Grizzlies in the semi-finals of the four-team [[1980 Big Sky Conference men's basketball tournament|conference tournament]],<ref name=moeniddr>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=7bZeAAAAIBAJ&pg=5953%2C97657 |newspaper=Lewiston Morning Tribune |location=(Idaho) |title=Montana ends Idaho's dream |last=Barrows |first=Bob |date=March 1, 1980|page=1C}}</ref> won by host and regular season champion [[1979–80 Weber State Wildcats men's basketball team|Weber State]].

===1980–81 season===
{{main|1980–81 Idaho Vandals men's basketball team}}
Monson's third season opened well, as the 1981 Vandals won their first ten games (including road wins at [[Nebraska Cornhuskers men's basketball|Nebraska]], [[1980–81 Washington State Cougars men's basketball team|Washington State]], and [[1980–81 Gonzaga Bulldogs men's basketball team|Gonzaga]]).  Idaho went {{nowrap|23–3}} in the regular season and won the [[Big Sky Conference|Big Sky]] regular season championship, their first conference title ever {{nowrap|in basketball.<ref name=vosw1181>{{cite web|url=http://issuu.com/uidahodigital/docs/gem1981/85 |publisher=Gem of the Mountains, University of Idaho yearbook|title=Basketball: Vandals open season with 11 wins |year=1981|page=80}}</ref>}}

Their {{nowrap|12–2}} conference record earned them the host position for the conference tournament (top four teams of the eight), which they won and were seeded seventh in the West region of the 48-team [[1981 NCAA Division I basketball tournament|NCAA tournament]]. Idaho lost in overtime by one point to [[1980–81 Pittsburgh Panthers men's basketball team|Pittsburgh]], the #10 seed, in [[El Paso, Texas|El Paso]] in the first round.  The Vandals finished the season with an overall record of {{nowrap|{{winning percentage|25|4|record=y}},}} with most of the key {{nowrap|players returning.<ref name=vosw1181/>}}

===1981–82 season===
{{main|1981–82 Idaho Vandals men's basketball team}}

The 1982 basketball team was the most successful in the school's history, and has yet to be surpassed.  Building upon the success of the previous season, the Vandals won their first 16 games and were ranked sixth in both polls after completing a {{nowrap|24–2}} regular {{nowrap|season.<ref name=vnmsix>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=7-pWAAAAIBAJ&pg=7290%2C276586 |work=Spokane Chronicle |location=(Washington) |agency=wire services |title=Vandals No. 6 |date=March 2, 1982 |page=13}}</ref><ref name=lmtap6>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=TplfAAAAIBAJ&pg=4924%2C957784 |work=Lewiston Morning Tribune |location=(Idaho) |title=Vandals climb to sixth place in AP national poll|date=March 3, 1982 |page=1C}}</ref>}} They defeated [[1981–82 Gonzaga Bulldogs men's basketball team|Gonzaga]] (for a third straight year) and all four [[Pac-12 Conference|Pac-10]] teams from the [[Pacific Northwest|Northwest]]. Idaho won the eight-team Far West Classic in [[Portland, Oregon|Portland]] in late December 1981, winning all three games by at least 19 points (over [[1981–82 Iowa State Cyclones men's basketball team|Iowa State]], [[1981–82 Oregon State Beavers men's basketball team|Oregon State]], {{nowrap|and [[Oregon Ducks men's basketball|Oregon]]).<ref name=asgs82>{{cite web|url=http://issuu.com/uidahodigital/docs/gem1982/222 |publisher=Gem of the Mountains, University of Idaho yearbook|title=Basketball: A Solid Gold Season |year=1982 |page=218}}</ref>}}

The Vandals' only setbacks during the regular season were consecutive two-point road losses in late January. The first was to rival [[Montana Grizzlies men's basketball|Montana]] on a raucous Saturday night in [[Dahlberg Arena|Missoula]] on a tip-in at the buzzer.<ref>{{cite journal|url=http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1125196/index.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100328180851/http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1125196/index.htm |url-status=dead |archive-date=March 28, 2010 |journal=Sports Illustrated|title=The Week (Jan. 18-24)|date=February 1, 1982|page=40}}</ref> The second was to [[1981–82 Notre Dame Fighting Irish men's basketball team|Notre Dame]] in [[Edmund P. Joyce Center|South Bend]] two days later, ending a three-games-in-four-nights road trip, which included multiple weather-related travel delays and re-routes, and a 4:30 am arrival in South Bend on game day.<ref name=iandlwf>{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=v1UaAAAAIBAJ&pg=7141%2C2014261 |newspaper=Spokane Chronicle |location=Washington |last=Devlin|first=Vince|title=Idaho at Notre Dame: look who's favored|date=January 25, 1982|page=17}}</ref> Although the Vandals hit 14 of their first 15 shots to jump to {{nowrap|28–10}} lead over the Irish, Notre Dame regrouped at home to win by two in overtime. Idaho was awarded just four free throws in the 45 minutes of play and missed them all.<ref name=vdish>{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=nLBeAAAAIBAJ&pg=2256%2C4130216|newspaper=Lewiston Morning Tribune|location=Idaho|title=Vandals die in 2nd half|date=January 26, 1982|page=1C}}</ref><ref name=vsosxot>{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=wFUaAAAAIBAJ&pg=5652%2C2199035|newspaper=Spokane Chronicle|location=Washington|title=Vandals stuck on 16 after OT loss to Irish|last=Devlin|first=Vince|date=January 26, 1982|page=17}}</ref> Notre Dame was led by future [[National Basketball Association|NBA]] guard [[John Paxson]] {{nowrap|in 1982.<ref name=iandlwf/>}} The Vandals then won eight straight games to conclude the regular season, and won the four-team conference tournament, which they hosted for the second straight year as regular season champions.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=UplfAAAAIBAJ&pg=4182%2C2444608|newspaper=Lewiston Morning Tribune|location=Idaho|title=Vandals dream of another playoff|last=Killen|first=John|date=March 7, 1982|page=3C}}</ref>

Their 26–2 record after the [[Big Sky Conference|Big Sky]] tournament (& ten straight victories) earned the Vandals a #8 national ranking and a #3 seed in the West region of the 48-team [[1982 NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament|NCAA tournament]], which included a first round bye.<ref name=asgs82/>

Idaho's first game (in the second round) was nearly a home game, played less than {{convert|8|mi|spell=in}} west at [[Beasley Coliseum]] in [[Pullman, Washington|Pullman]] on a Sunday afternoon.  The opponent was 16th-ranked [[1981–82 Iowa Hawkeyes men's basketball team|Iowa]] of the [[Big Ten Conference|Big Ten]], the region's #6 seed, then coached by [[Lute Olson]].  Iowa, a Final Four team [[1979–80 Iowa Hawkeyes men's basketball team|two years earlier]], won their first-round game handily, but Idaho won this close game by two points, 69–67 in overtime, and advanced to the Sweet 16 at the West regional in [[Marriott Center|Provo, Utah]].<ref name=nxstppr>{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=pvhLAAAAIBAJ&pg=6111%2C6045848|newspaper=Spokesman-Review|location=Spokane, Washington|title=Idaho: Next stop, Provo|last=Missildine|first=Harry|date=March 15, 1982|page=15}}</ref>[http://www.tomandrodna.com/Iowa_Basketball_1982.htm] <ref name=idsctmns>{{cite web|url=http://idaho.scout.com/2/239130.html |publisher=Idaho Scout.com |last=Smith |first=Marlin |title=The Monson Era |date=March 2, 2004 |access-date=March 27, 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050118210439/http://idaho.scout.com/2/239130.html |archive-date=January 18, 2005 }}</ref> There the Vandals met fourth-ranked Oregon State, the #2 seed in the West region.  Idaho had defeated the Beavers by 22 points in December at the Far West Classic in [[Memorial Coliseum (Portland)|Portland]], but this time the result was far different, as the Beavers won 60–42.  OSU was defeated two days later by the region's #1 seed [[1981–82 Georgetown Hoyas men's basketball team|Georgetown]], led by freshman center [[Patrick Ewing]]. (Georgetown advanced to the national final, where they lost by a point to [[1981–82 North Carolina Tar Heels men's basketball team|North Carolina]].)

The Vandals finished the 1982 season at {{winning percentage|27|3|record=y}}, and were ranked as high as sixth in the nation ([[Associated Press|AP]] and UPI polls); they were eighth in mid-January, when they were undefeated {{nowrap|at 15–0.<ref name=polls>{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=lrBeAAAAIBAJ&pg=2108%2C1890815|newspaper=Lewiston Morning Tribune|location=Idaho|title=Unbeaten Vandals continue to climb in both wire service polls|agency=Associated Press|date=January 20, 1982|page=1C}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=VZBTAAAAIBAJ&pg=2403,3762516&|newspaper=The Bulletin|location=(Bend, Oregon)|title=Idaho basketball: Now its something to crow about|last=Barton|first=Gene|date=January 20, 1982|page=D1}}</ref>}} The 1982 starters [[Ken Owens (basketball)|Ken Owens]] ({{height|ft=6|in=0}}) and [[Brian Kellerman]] ({{height|ft=6|in=5}}) in the backcourt, with forwards Phil Hopson and [[Gordon Herbert|Gordie Herbert]] and center Kelvin Smith, all at {{height|ft=6|in=6}}.  Just before their two losses in January, the team was featured in a two-page article in ''[[Sports Illustrated]]''.<ref>{{cite journal|url=https://www.si.com/vault/1982/01/25/540928/a-case-of-vandalism-in-big-sky-country <!--http://vault.sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1125175/index.htm-->|journal=Sports Illustrated|title=A case of Vandalism in Big Sky country|last=McCallum|first=Jack|date=January 25, 1982|pages=20–21}}</ref> [http://www.govandals.com/PhotoAlbum.dbml?ATCLID=1209325&SPSID=87178&SPID=10346&PALBID=13081&DB_OEM_ID=17100&PAGE_ID=0&ZID=726017 (team photo)]  The [[Alley-oop (basketball)|alley-oop]] was a frequently used play against man-to-man defenses.<ref name=loolit>{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=mbBeAAAAIBAJ&pg=5186%2C2965068 |work=Lewiston Morning Tribune |location=(Idaho)|last=Killen |first=John |title=Lob it or leave it |date=January 23, 1982 |page=1B }}</ref>

Don Monson was named the [[Kodak]] Coach of the Year in Division I in 1982 [http://www.govandals.com/PhotoAlbum.dbml?ATCLID=1209325&SPSID=87178&SPID=10346&PALBID=13081&DB_OEM_ID=17100&PAGE_ID=9&ZID=726001 (photo)] and rumors were rampant that he would jump to a higher league, maybe to struggling [[Arizona Wildcats men's basketball|Arizona]] in the [[Pac-12 Conference|Pac-10]].  That position was filled by [[Ben Lindsey (basketball)|Ben Lindsey]] (who was dismissed after one season, succeeded by [[Lute Olson]] of Iowa), and Monson chose to stay for another year at Idaho. With a salary of about $40,000 in 1982 and a one-year contract,<ref name=imgmartst>{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=Gf0yAAAAIBAJ&pg=6968%2C7333335 
|newspaper=Deseret News |location=Salt Lake City |agency=Associated Press |title=Idaho may give Monson a reason to stay with Vandals |date=March 25, 1982 |page=6G }}</ref> an "appreciation fund" was set up by local fans to entice him to stay {{nowrap|in Moscow.<ref name=ifrfn>{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=iYBQAAAAIBAJ&pg=7071%2C4307089 |newspaper=Milwaukee Sentinel |title=Idaho fans raise funds |date=March 24, 1982 |page=4, part 2 }}</ref><ref name=dmappfnd>{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=k_lLAAAAIBAJ&pg=1621%2C1793794 |newspaper=Spokesman-Review|location=Spokane, Washington |title=Don Monson Appreciation Fund |agency=advertisement |date=March 20, 1982 |page=18}}</ref>}} The [https://admin.xosn.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=17100&ATCLID=1470592 1982 team] was inducted into the [https://www.nmnathletics.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=17100&KEY=&ATCLID=1472888 Vandal Athletics Hall of Fame], as was Monson.

===1982–83 season===
{{main|1982–83 Idaho Vandals men's basketball team}}

The 1983 Vandals returned three starters (Kellerman, Hopson, and Smith) and began the season at {{nowrap|12–1,}} repeating as Far West Classic champs in December 1982.  Idaho again defeated all four [[Pacific Northwest|Northwest]] [[Pac-12 Conference|Pac-10]] schools during the regular season, and also won at [[1982–83 Gonzaga Bulldogs men's basketball team|Gonzaga]], then led by legendary point guard [[John Stockton]].<ref name=gem83pwrofgol>{{cite web|url=http://issuu.com/uidahodigital/docs/gem1983/194 |publisher=Gem of the Mountains, University of Idaho yearbook|title=Basketball: The Power of Gold|year=1983|page=190}}</ref>

Several of the Vandals players had injuries late in the year, and the team finished tied for third in the Big Sky at {{nowrap|9–5,}} and an overall record {{nowrap|of 20–7.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=9pdfAAAAIBAJ&pg=5094%2C1698754|newspaper=Lewiston Morning Tribune|location=(Idaho)|title=Idaho warms up for Big Sky tourney with rocket performance over BSU|last=Bull|first=Andy|date=March 6, 1983|page=C1}}</ref>}} They lost in the semifinals (first round) of the conference tourney at [[Reno, Nevada|Reno]] to regular season champion [[Nevada Wolf Pack men's basketball|Nevada]], 78–73.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=_JdfAAAAIBAJ&pg=4280%2C4119665|newspaper=Lewiston Morning Tribune|location=Idaho|title=Reno's defense turns the tables on Idaho, 78-73|last=Killen|first=John|date=March 12, 1983|page=1C}}</ref> This was followed by a first round loss in the [[1983 National Invitation Tournament|NIT]] against [[Oregon State Beavers men's basketball|Oregon State]] in [[Gill Coliseum|Corvallis]] on March 16, ending the Vandals' season at {{winning percentage|20|9|record=y}},<ref>{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=g6FfAAAAIBAJ&pg=5163%2C488384|newspaper=Lewiston Morning Tribune|location=(Idaho)|title=OSU's strong second half stymies UI|last=Killen|first=John|date=March 17, 1983|page=1B}}</ref> and Monson's five-year stint on the [[Palouse]].<ref name=over>{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=iKFfAAAAIBAJ&pg=5308%2C2040256|newspaper=Lewiston Morning Tribune|location=(Idaho)|title=Monson chooses challenge at Oregon|last=Killen|first=John|date=March 22, 1983|page=C1}}</ref>

===Legacy in Moscow===
Don Monson became a cult hero in the [[Moscow, Idaho|Moscow]] community in the early 1980s, bringing championship status to a university that had long struggled in both football and basketball.<ref name=dmabom>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=s-0vAAAAIBAJ&pg=3397%2C3367820 |newspaper=Spokesman-Review |location=(Spokane, Washington) |title=Don Monson, a breaker of molds |date=March 22, 1983 |page=19 }}</ref> He was well known for his anguished expressions and contorted body language while on the Idaho sideline,<ref name=over/> which became the subject for an unofficial fan club<ref name=mahman>{{cite web|url=http://issuu.com/uidahodigital/docs/gem1980/77 |publisher=Gem of the Mountains, University of Idaho yearbook|title=Monson and his Maniacs|year=1980|pages=12–15, sec. 2}}</ref> (and [[caricature]] T-shirts).  Monson was the biggest thing to happen to Vandal basketball since [[Gus Johnson (basketball)|Gus Johnson]] in [[1962–63 Idaho Vandals men's basketball team|1963]] (and his elevated nail at the Corner Club on Main Street). Five years after his departure to Eugene, he was honored with a roast {{nowrap|in Moscow.<ref name=agrodu>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=3JMrAAAAIBAJ&pg=4636%2C848911 |newspaper=Idahonian|location=(Moscow)|title=Monson agrees to be roasted Duck|last=Pierce|first=Oliver|date=September 8, 1988|page=1C}}</ref><ref name=mgjfffoe>{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=5JMrAAAAIBAJ&pg=4132,1144461 |newspaper=Idahonian|location=(Moscow)|title=Monson gets jabs from friend, foe|last=Shelledy|first=James E.|date=September 10, 1988|page=1D}}</ref>}}

The Vandal basketball team could outdraw the [[Football Championship Subdivision|Division I-AA]] football team in the multi-purpose [[Kibbie Dome]], and it was ranked by ''[[Sports Illustrated]]'' as one of the toughest home courts in America.  From January 1980 to February 1983, the Vandals won 43 consecutive games on their home floor.  (After a shocking loss to [[Montana Grizzlies basketball|Montana]] in front of a record 11,800 on February 12, the Vandals won their final three home games in 1983.)  In Monson's final four seasons at Idaho, the Vandals were {{nowrap|{{winning percentage|51|2|record=y}}}} at home.

Monson's overall record in his five seasons at Idaho was {{nowrap|{{winning percentage|100|41|record=y}},}} and was {{nowrap|{{winning percentage|72|16|record=y}}}} in his final three seasons.  His successor was [[Bill Trumbo]], a successful [[junior college]] head coach in northern [[California]].  Trumbo did not come close to equaling Monson's success, as the Vandals struggled and returned to last place in the [[Big Sky Conference|Big Sky]] in each of his three seasons, going {{winning percentage|8|34|record=y}} in conference and {{winning percentage|28|59|record=y}} overall.<ref name=disifaft>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=lrISAAAAIBAJ&pg=1886%2C1727672 |newspaper=Spokane Chronicle |location=(Washington) |agency=staff and wire reports |title=Decline in support is factor as Vandals fire Trumbo |date=March 10, 1986 |page=C1}}</ref> Trumbo lost 21 games at home in the [[Kibbie Dome]] and was relieved in March 1986,<ref name=iftatls>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=AA5XAAAAIBAJ&pg=7008%2C6771028 |newspaper=Spokesman-Review |location=(Spokane, Washington)|last=Devlin |first=Vince |title=Idaho fires Trumbo after three losing seasons |date=March 10, 1986 |page=C1}}</ref> succeeded by [[Tim Floyd]].<ref name=ivmg12/>

During the "Monson Era" at Idaho, the neighboring [[Washington State Cougars men's basketball|Washington State]] Cougars were also doing well in basketball under head coach [[George Raveling]], advancing to the NCAA tournament in [[1980 NCAA Division I basketball tournament#Mideast region|1980]] and [[1983 NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament#West region|1983]]. Monson's Vandals were {{nowrap|3–2}} against the Cougars, winning the final three (in three different cities) to the great frustration of the [[Washington State University|Cougar Nation]] and the [[Pullman, Washington|Pullman]] community.

The highlight of this series was the final game, in early December 1982, which was the only one played in [[Moscow, Idaho|Moscow]]. A then-record (basketball) crowd of over 11,000 packed into the [[Kibbie Dome]]'s south grandstand & expanded temporary bleachers to witness a four-point overtime victory for the Vandals, their 37th consecutive win at home.<ref name=wsuui>{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=-rxeAAAAIBAJ&pg=4182%2C1633153|newspaper=Lewiston Morning Tribune|location=(Idaho)|title=Vandals nip Cougars in OT, 62-58|last=Killen|first=John|date=December 5, 1982|page=1B}}</ref> Concurrently in [[Kentucky]], the resurgent Vandals [[1982 Idaho Vandals football team|football team]] (under first-year head coach [[Dennis Erickson]]) was on the road battling eventual champion [[Eastern Kentucky Colonels football|Eastern Kentucky]] in the [[1982 NCAA Division I-AA football season#Postseason|I-AA playoffs]]; losing {{nowrap|38–30}} in a game that went down to the {{nowrap|final play.<ref name=coneku>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=-rxeAAAAIBAJ&pg=4182%2C1633153 |work=Lewiston Morning Tribune |location=(Idaho)|last=Ramsdell |first=Paul |title=Controversial EKU interception ends Idaho hopes |date=December 5, 1982 |page=1B}}</ref>}}

That [[1982–83 Washington State Cougars men's basketball team|1983 Cougar team]], led by future [[National Basketball Association|NBA]] guard [[Craig Ehlo]], finished second in the [[Pac-12 Conference|Pac-10]] with a 14–4 record, a game behind champion [[1982–83 UCLA Bruins men's basketball team|UCLA]].  The Cougars' non-conference losses were both on the road in early December to [[Big Sky Conference|Big Sky]] opponents; Idaho and [[Montana Grizzlies basketball|Montana]].  The Cougars advanced to the second round in the West regional of the [[1983 NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament|NCAA tournament]], losing to #1 seed [[1982–83 Virginia Cavaliers men's basketball team|Virginia]] by five points, finishing at 23–7.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/cougars/2003571091_coug14.html|newspaper=The Seattle Times|title=1983 WSU Cougars|last=Condotta|first=Bob|date=February 14, 2007}}</ref> After that loss, [[head coach]] George Raveling left Washington State to replace [[Lute Olson]] at [[1983–84 Iowa Hawkeyes men's basketball team|Iowa]]. With Monson also leaving for [[Oregon Ducks men's basketball|Oregon]], college basketball on the [[Palouse]] went into dormancy.  Simultaneous success for both universities in basketball (or any other sport) has yet to recur.

==Oregon Ducks==
Following the 1983 season, Monson moved up to the [[Pac-12 Conference|Pac-10]] conference to coach the [[University of Oregon]] [[Oregon Ducks men's basketball|Ducks]] in [[Eugene, Oregon|Eugene]].<ref name=monore/><ref name=madjb>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=s-0vAAAAIBAJ&pg=5484%2C3368687 |newspaper=Spokesman-Review |location=Spokane, Washington |title=Monson accepts Duck job |date=March 22, 1983 |page=19}}</ref> He took over a {{nowrap|9–18}} team from former head coach [[Jim Haney]]. Monson's best record at Oregon came in his first season,<ref name=bigstrt>{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=5UJWAAAAIBAJ&pg=6790%2C3921156|newspaper=Eugene Register-Guard |location=Oregon |title=From big start to a quiet finish|last=Clark|first=Bob|date=March 18, 1992|page=4B}}</ref> as the 1984 Ducks went {{nowrap|11–7}} in the Pac-10 and {{nowrap|{{winning percentage|16|13|record=y}}}} overall.  Monson went {{nowrap|{{winning percentage|116|145|record=y}}}} in nine seasons, but never made the [[NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Championship|NCAA tournament]]. Oregon qualified for the [[National Invitation Tournament|NIT]] three times, but only won one game, {{nowrap|in 1988.<ref name=bigstrt/>}}

Monson's final year at Oregon was the 1992 season, which ended with a 2–16 record in conference and 6–21 ({{winning percentage|6|21}}) overall.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=5UJWAAAAIBAJ&pg=6251%2C3907982|newspaper=Eugene Register-Guard |location=Oregon |title=Monson era comes to an end|last=Clark|first=Bob|date=March 18, 1992|page=1B}}</ref> He was replaced by [[Jerry Green (coach)|Jerry Green]], who coached the Ducks for five seasons before leaving for [[Tennessee Volunteers men's basketball|Tennessee]] after the 1997 season. Green was succeeded by [[Ernie Kent]].

Monson's Oregon Ducks never faced the Idaho Vandals during his nine seasons in Eugene.  The two teams played the season before Monson arrived (his last at Idaho, in the Far West Classic, a Vandal victory) and the one immediately after he departed in December 1992.

Monson's teams went {{winning percentage|216|186|record=y}} in his 14 seasons as a head coach. His best finish was with his 1982 [[Idaho Vandals men's basketball|Idaho Vandals]], a #3 seed in the West regional that advanced to the [[1982 NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament|Sweet Sixteen]], and spent time in the national polls in the Top Ten.  They finished 27–3 without a starter taller than {{height|ft=6|in=6}}.

In December 2004, [[Gonzaga University|Gonzaga]] honored Monson with the second annual "Battle in Seattle Award", presented to an individual who has demonstrated a lifelong contribution to basketball in the [[Pacific Northwest]]. [http://gozags.cstv.com/sports/m-baskbl/spec-rel/120104aaa.html] [[Marv Harshman]] was the inaugural recipient a year earlier.

==Adelaide 36ers==
In 1993, Monson was signed to coach the [[Adelaide 36ers]] who play in the [[National Basketball League (Australia)|National Basketball League]] in Australia. Monson only coached the 36ers for the [[1993 NBL season]], leading the team to a 14–14 record as the 36ers finished in 7th place, losing their quarter-final series in two games to the defending champion [[South East Melbourne Magic]].

Although the 36ers had improved on their [[1992 NBL season|1992]] season record of 11-13 where they failed to reach the [[NBL Finals|playoffs]] for only the second time since [[1984 NBL season|1984]], Monson was not retained as coach of the team and was replaced by former [[California Lutheran University|Cal Lutheran]] head coach [[Mike Dunlap]] for the [[1994 NBL season|1994 season]].

==Current==
Monson currently resides in [[Spokane, Washington|Spokane]], as did his former boss and mentor [[Jud Heathcote]], until Heathcote's death at 90 in August 2017.<ref name=srjb17jdh>{{cite news |url=http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2017/aug/28/spokanes-jud-heathcote-long-time-coach-at-michigan/#/0 |work=Spokesman-Review |location=Spokane, Washington |last=Blanchette |first=John |title=Spokane's Jud Heathcote, longtime coach at Michigan State, dies at 90 |date=August 28, 2017}}</ref>

==Head coaching record==

===College===
{{CBB Yearly Record Start | type = | conference = | postseason = | poll = }}
{{CBB Yearly Record Subhead
 | name       = [[Idaho Vandals men's basketball|Idaho Vandals]]
 | conference = [[Big Sky Conference]]
 | startyear  = 1978
 | endyear    = 1983
}}
{{CBB Yearly Record Entry
 | championship = 
 | season       = [[1978–79 NCAA Division I men's basketball season|1978–79]]
 | name         = [[1978–79 Idaho Vandals men's basketball team|Idaho]]
 | overall      = 11–15
 | conference   = 4–10
 | confstanding = 8th
 | postseason   = 
}}
{{CBB Yearly Record Entry
 | championship = 
 | season       = [[1979–80 NCAA Division I men's basketball season|1979–80]]
 | name         = [[1979–80 Idaho Vandals men's basketball team|Idaho]]
 | overall      = 17–10
 | conference   = 9–5
 | confstanding = 2nd
 | postseason   = 
}}
{{CBB Yearly Record Entry
 | season       = [[1980–81 NCAA Division I men's basketball season|1980–81]]
 | name         = [[1980–81 Idaho Vandals men's basketball team|Idaho]]
 | overall      = 25–4
 | conference   = 12–2
 | confstanding = 1st
 | championship = confboth
 | postseason   = [[1981 NCAA Division I basketball tournament#West region|NCAA first round]]
}}
{{CBB Yearly Record Entry
 | championship = confboth
 | season       = [[1981–82 NCAA Division I men's basketball season|1981–82]]
 | name         = [[1981–82 Idaho Vandals men's basketball team|Idaho]]
 | overall      = 27–3
 | conference   = 13–1
 | confstanding = 1st
 | postseason   = [[1982 NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament#West region|NCAA Sweet 16]]
}}
{{CBB Yearly Record Entry
 | championship = 
 | season       = [[1982–83 NCAA Division I men's basketball season|1982–83]]
 | name         = [[1982–83 Idaho Vandals men's basketball team|Idaho]]
 | overall      = 20–9
 | conference   = 9–5
 | confstanding = T–3rd
 | postseason   = [[1983 National Invitation Tournament|NIT First Round]]
}}
{{CBB Yearly Record Subtotal
 | name       = Idaho
 | overall    = {{winning percentage|100|41|record=y}}
 | confrecord = {{winning percentage|47|23|record=y}}
}}
{{CBB Yearly Record Subhead
 | name       = [[Oregon Ducks men's basketball|Oregon Ducks]]
 | conference = [[Pac-12 Conference|Pacific-10 Conference]]
 | startyear  = 1983
 | endyear    = 1992
}}
{{CBB Yearly Record Entry
 | championship = 
 | season       = [[1983–84 NCAA Division I men's basketball season|1983–84]]
 | name         = Oregon 
 | overall      = 16–13
 | conference   = 11–7
 | confstanding = 3rd
 | postseason   = [[1984 National Invitation Tournament|NIT First Round]]
}}
{{CBB Yearly Record Entry
 | championship = 
 | season       = [[1984–85 NCAA Division I men's basketball season|1984–85]]
 | name         = Oregon
 | overall      = 15–16
 | conference   = 8–10
 | confstanding = 6th
 | postseason   = 
}}
{{CBB Yearly Record Entry
 | championship = 
 | season       = [[1985–86 NCAA Division I men's basketball season|1985–86]]
 | name         = Oregon
 | overall      = 11–17
 | conference   = 6–12
 | confstanding = 9th
 | postseason   = 
}}
{{CBB Yearly Record Entry
 | championship = 
 | season       = [[1986–87 NCAA Division I men's basketball season|1986–87]]
 | name         = Oregon
 | overall      = 16–14
 | conference   = 8–10
 | confstanding = 7th
 | postseason   = 
}}
{{CBB Yearly Record Entry
 | championship = 
 | season       = [[1987–88 NCAA Division I men's basketball season|1987–88]]
 | name         = Oregon
 | overall      = 16–14
 | conference   = 10–8
 | confstanding = 5th
 | postseason   = [[1988 National Invitation Tournament|NIT Second Round]]
}}
{{CBB Yearly Record Entry
 | championship = 
 | season       = [[1988–89 NCAA Division I men's basketball season|1988–89]]
 | name         = Oregon
 | overall      = 8–21
 | conference   = 3–15
 | confstanding = 9th
 | postseason   = 
}}
{{CBB Yearly Record Entry
 | championship = 
 | season       = [[1989–90 NCAA Division I men's basketball season|1989–90]]
 | name         = Oregon
 | overall      = 15–14
 | conference   = 10–8
 | confstanding = 5th
 | postseason   = [[1990 National Invitation Tournament|NIT First Round]]
}}
{{CBB Yearly Record Entry
 | championship = 
 | season       = [[1990–91 NCAA Division I men's basketball season|1990–91]]
 | name         = Oregon
 | overall      = 13–15
 | conference   = 8–10
 | confstanding = T–5th
 | postseason   = 
}}
{{CBB Yearly Record Entry
 | championship = 
 | season       = [[1991–92 NCAA Division I men's basketball season|1991–92]]
 | name         = Oregon
 | overall      = 6–21
 | conference   = 2–16
 | confstanding = 10th
 | postseason   = 
}}
{{CBB Yearly Record Subtotal
 | name       = Oregon
 | overall    = {{winning percentage|116|145|record=y}}
 | confrecord = {{winning percentage|66|96|record=y}}
}}
{{CBB Yearly Record End
 | overall = {{winning percentage|216|186|record=y}}
}}

===NBL===
{{NBA coach statistics legend}}
{{NBA coach statistics start}}
|- 
| align="left" |[[Adelaide 36ers]]
| align="left" |[[1993 NBL season|1993]]
|28||14||14||{{Winning percentage|14|14}}|| align="center" |7th ||2||0||2||{{Winning percentage|0|2}}
| align="center" |Quarter-finalists
|-class="sortbottom"
| align="left" |'''Career'''
| ||28||14||14||{{Winning percentage|14|14}}|| ||2||0||2||{{Winning percentage|0|2}}
{{s-end}}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
*[https://www.sports-reference.com/cbb/coaches/don-monson-1.html Sports Reference] – college coaching record – Don Monson
*[https://admin.xosn.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=17100&ATCLID=1456257 University of Idaho – Vandal Athletics Hall of Fame] – Don Monson

{{navboxes|list=
{{Idaho Vandals men's basketball coach navbox}}
{{Oregon Ducks men's basketball coach navbox}}
{{Adelaide 36ers coach navbox}}
{{Big Sky Conference Men's Basketball Coach of the Year navbox}}
{{NABC Coach of the Year}}
}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Monson, Don}}
[[Category:1933 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Adelaide 36ers coaches]]
[[Category:American expatriate basketball people in Australia]]
[[Category:American men's basketball coaches]]
[[Category:American men's basketball players]]
[[Category:Basketball coaches from Minnesota]]
[[Category:Basketball coaches from Idaho]]
[[Category:Basketball coaches from Washington (state)]]
[[Category:Basketball players from Minnesota]]
[[Category:Basketball players from Idaho]]
[[Category:Basketball players from Spokane, Washington]]
[[Category:College men's basketball head coaches in the United States]]
[[Category:Eastern Washington University alumni]]
[[Category:High school basketball coaches in the United States]]
[[Category:Idaho Vandals men's basketball coaches]]
[[Category:Idaho Vandals men's basketball players]]
[[Category:Michigan State Spartans men's basketball coaches]]
[[Category:Oregon Ducks men's basketball coaches]]
[[Category:Sportspeople from Coeur d'Alene, Idaho]]
[[Category:People from Menahga, Minnesota]]
[[Category:Sportspeople from Moscow, Idaho]]
[[Category:Sportspeople from Cheney, Washington]]
[[Category:Forwards (basketball)]]
[[Category:Guards (basketball)]]
[[Category:20th-century American sportsmen]]