Mark Few and the Gonzaga Legacy: Building a West Coast Powerhouse One Season at a Time
Few programs in college basketball embody consistency, excellence, and integrity like Gonzaga University. And at the heart of that transformation — from a small Catholic school in Spokane, Washington, to a perennial national powerhouse — stands one man: Mark Few.
Since joining the Bulldogs staff in 1992 as a full-time assistant coach, Few has helped orchestrate one of the greatest program turnarounds in NCAA history. Over the span of three decades, Gonzaga has posted an astonishing 892–216 record, good for a .805 winning percentage — a number that rivals the sport’s most legendary programs.
What began as a mid-major dream has become an empire. Under Few’s direction, the Bulldogs are no longer underdogs — they’re the standard for sustained excellence in college basketball.
The Humble Beginnings
Before the fame, the banners, and the national spotlight, Gonzaga basketball was a modest program searching for direction. Located far from the glamour of major conferences, the Bulldogs spent much of their early history overshadowed by Pac-12 schools like UCLA, Arizona, and Washington.
That began to change when Mark Few, a young, energetic assistant with a deep love for the game, joined the staff in the early ’90s. His attention to detail, relentless recruiting, and belief in player development quickly became hallmarks of the program.
In 1999, the nation took notice.
Led by coach Dan Monson, with Few serving as a key assistant, Gonzaga made a stunning run to the Elite Eight, toppling powerhouses along the way. Though their Cinderella story ended just shy of the Final Four, it marked the beginning of a new era — one that would soon see Mark Few take the reins and redefine what was possible for Gonzaga basketball.
A New Era of Excellence
When Mark Few was promoted to head coach in 1999, expectations were modest. Nobody predicted that Gonzaga would become a fixture in March Madness for decades to come. But Few had a vision — not just to compete, but to build something enduring.
Few’s approach was simple yet revolutionary: recruit players who fit Gonzaga’s culture, emphasize skill development over raw athleticism, and instill a belief that Spokane could be home to championship-level basketball.
From his very first season, the results were immediate. The Bulldogs won the West Coast Conference (WCC) title and advanced to the NCAA Tournament — a pattern that has repeated every single year since.
Under Few’s leadership, Gonzaga has qualified for the NCAA Tournament in every eligible season since 1999, a streak that places them among the elite company of programs like Duke, Kansas, and Michigan State.
The Numbers Behind the Dominance
The statistics of Mark Few’s tenure speak for themselves:
- 892–216 overall record (.805 winning percentage)
- Multiple WCC regular-season and tournament championships
- Two NCAA Tournament championship game appearances (2017, 2021)
- Over 20 consecutive NCAA Tournament appearances
- Consistent Top 10 national rankings
- Dozens of NBA-caliber players developed
Few’s winning percentage isn’t just impressive — it’s historic. Among active Division I coaches with over 500 wins, he ranks near the top in career winning percentage, trailing only a handful of legends.
What’s even more remarkable is that Gonzaga has achieved this without the recruiting advantages of blue-blood programs. Few has built a dynasty based on evaluation, development, and culture — not geography or hype.
Culture: The Foundation of Success
Ask anyone inside the Gonzaga program what makes it special, and the answer always comes back to one word: culture.
Few’s teams play with discipline, unselfishness, and confidence — a reflection of their coach’s personality. Practices are efficient and detail-oriented, emphasizing fundamentals, teamwork, and basketball IQ. Players buy into the system not because they’re forced to, but because they believe in it.
Few has also created a program where family and community matter as much as wins. Former players frequently return to campus, current players embrace mentorship, and the coaching staff operates with loyalty and continuity rarely seen in college basketball.
“Coach Few has built something that goes way beyond basketball,” said a former player. “He teaches you how to be accountable, how to lead, how to care about the guy next to you. That’s why everyone who plays here stays connected forever.”
From Cinderella to Contender
For years, Gonzaga carried the label of a “Cinderella” — the lovable mid-major that upset giants every March. But under Mark Few, that label quickly became outdated.
By the mid-2000s, Gonzaga had evolved from spoiler to staple. They were no longer just making tournaments — they were expected to win. The program began scheduling tougher non-conference opponents, traveling across the country to face national powers.
That willingness to compete against the best paid dividends. By challenging themselves early in the season, the Bulldogs entered March battle-tested and confident.
The results followed: Sweet Sixteens, Elite Eights, and ultimately, two national championship appearances.
In 2017, Few led Gonzaga to its first-ever NCAA Championship Game, finishing 37–2 and falling just short to North Carolina in a classic title battle. Four years later, the Bulldogs returned to the championship stage after an unforgettable 31–0 start, powered by stars like Jalen Suggs, Corey Kispert, and Drew Timme. Though they lost to Baylor, that 2021 team solidified Gonzaga’s status as a true national powerhouse — not just a great story, but a great program.
Developing Stars, Not Just Recruiting Them
One of the most impressive aspects of Mark Few’s coaching legacy is his ability to develop players.
Gonzaga doesn’t always land the top-10 recruits like Duke or Kentucky, but Few consistently turns unheralded prospects into NBA-ready talents. Players like Adam Morrison, Kelly Olynyk, Domantas Sabonis, Rui Hachimura, and Drew Timme arrived as promising athletes and left as national stars.
Few’s player development system emphasizes versatility — teaching big men to pass, guards to rebound, and everyone to shoot. The result is a free-flowing, modern offense built on spacing, movement, and precision.
“Coach Few sees potential in players before anyone else does,” said former assistant Tommy Lloyd (now Arizona’s head coach). “He’s patient. He gives guys time to grow, and that’s why so many succeed here.”
Gonzaga’s Global Reach
Few’s influence extends beyond the United States. The Bulldogs have become a global brand, attracting talent from around the world.
International players like Sabonis (Lithuania), Hachimura (Japan), Przemek Karnowski (Poland), and Filip Petrusev (Serbia) have thrived in Spokane, drawn by Gonzaga’s reputation for player development and success.
This global pipeline has helped Gonzaga maintain its competitive edge and showcase a style of basketball that transcends borders — blending European fundamentals with American athleticism.
Adapting to the Modern Game
Another reason for Few’s sustained success is his adaptability.
College basketball has changed dramatically since 1999 — from the introduction of the transfer portal to NIL deals to the evolution of analytics and pace. Yet, Gonzaga has remained ahead of the curve.
Few embraced modern offensive concepts early, emphasizing pace, spacing, and efficient shot selection long before it became mainstream. His teams are consistently among the nation’s leaders in assists, field-goal percentage, and offensive efficiency.
Even with changes in roster management and player movement, Few has maintained stability. His ability to build trust with players ensures Gonzaga remains a desirable destination — not just for recruits, but for transfers looking to win and grow.
The Legacy of Mark Few
Few’s legacy isn’t just about wins and tournaments — it’s about transformation.
He took a small West Coast program with limited resources and turned it into a model of excellence, proving that greatness isn’t limited to geography or conference affiliation. Gonzaga’s rise has inspired countless mid-major programs across the nation to dream bigger.
More importantly, Few has done it with integrity. In an era often marred by scandals and controversies, Gonzaga’s program has remained clean, respected, and admired.
He’s been named National Coach of the Year multiple times, but his greatest accomplishment may be the consistency of his teams and the culture he’s cultivated.
“Mark Few is the most underrated legend in college basketball,” said one national analyst. “He built Gonzaga from the ground up and never lost sight of who they are.”
Looking Ahead
As Gonzaga continues to compete at the highest level, the question isn’t whether they’ll stay elite — it’s how much further they can go.
With new facilities, a loyal fan base, and a proven track record of success, the Bulldogs are positioned to remain a force for years to come. Few, now one of the longest-tenured coaches in college basketball, shows no signs of slowing down. His passion for the game — and for Gonzaga — burns as brightly as ever.
“Every season feels like a new challenge,” he said. “That’s what keeps me going. We’re not chasing perfection — we’re chasing improvement.”
That pursuit of excellence has defined his entire career.
Conclusion: The Blueprint of Greatness
From his first day as an assistant in 1992 to his Hall of Fame-worthy career as head coach, Mark Few has redefined Gonzaga basketball.
He’s built more than a program — he’s built a legacy of consistency, respect, and heart. His .805 winning percentage isn’t just a statistic; it’s a reflection of three decades of vision, adaptability, and belief.
In a sport where dynasties rise and fall, Mark Few’s Bulldogs have stood the test of time. They’ve proven that with the right leadership, the right culture, and relentless commitment, even a small school in Spokane can become the center of the basketball world.
And as long as Few is on the sidelines, Gonzaga’s heartbeat will remain steady — measured not just in wins, but in the inspiration they bring to every fan, player, and believer in what’s possible when vision meet dedication
