Coach Mark Few put the Gonzaga Bulldogs program and the university in Spokane, Washington, on the map. An underdog who built something that was never supposed to happen at a tiny Jesuit institution in the Inland Northwest.
Forget all the wins, championships, and NBA pedigree from its alumni for a second; his presence helped the school’s enrollment and finances throughout the last 27 years. Helping grow other educational disciplines, such as mine with the Department of Integrated Media, and others.
This situation for both parties was a match made in heaven from the beginning.
Along with Few, the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame’s Class of 2026 inducted coach Doc Rivers, coach Mike D’Antoni, forward/center Amar’e Stoudemire, forward Chamique Holdsclaw, forward Candace Parker, forward Elena Delle Donne, referee Joey Crawford, and the 1996 U.S. Olympic Women’s Basketball Team. The group received their “Naismith Orange” jackets the day before at the Mohegan Sun in Uncasville, Connecticut.
In attendance for Few’s ceremony were, first and foremost, his family: wife Marcy Laca, sons AJ, Joe, Colt, and daughter Julia. His presenters were Hall of Famer John Stockton, Arkansas Razorbacks coach John Calipari, and Managing Director of USA Basketball Grant Hill.
Arizona Wildcats coach Tommy Lloyd, former Villanova Wildcats coach Jay Wright, sportscaster Neil Everett showed their love for Few. As well as some of his past and current staff members like assistant coaches Brian Michaelson, RJay Barsh, Zach Norvell, Dan Monson, Bill Grier, Ray Giacoletti, Ricky Fois, and Roger Powell.
An armful of his former players also showed up in support, such as Sacramento Kings foward/center Domantas Sabonis, Drew Timme, Mike Nilson, Jeremy Jones, Kevin Pangos, Rem Bakamus, Matt Santangelo, Matthew Lang, Kyle Dranginis, Ryan Floyd, David Stockton, Will Graves, Casey Calvary, Dan Dickau.
Emotions were running high at Symphony Hall in Springfield, Massachusetts, of course. It’s okay to let the tears roll down when listening to Few’s speech. His reflection on this magical and unexpected journey, the 290 players’ lives he has had the blessing to be a part of, the relationships he built along the way.
Few puts it all together perfectly; just listen.
During his historic span as the leader of the Zags since 1999, Few hasn’t missed the NCAA Tournament and has had two national championship appearances in 2017 and 2021. The basketball legend has also coached 34 former players (and counting) to have competed in the NBA, 19 of whom were draft picks and 11 who were named All-Americans.
Take a look at some more of Few’s milestones during his powerful tenure as Gonzaga’s head coach, including nine seasons as an assistant coach dating back to 1990:
- 45-26 NCAA Tournament record, 56-6 West Coast Conference Tournament record
- 23x regular season West Coast Conference titles (share included)
- 21x West Coast Conference Tournament titles
- 14x West Coast Conference Coach of the Year awards
- 2x Naismith Coach of the Year awards
- 6x Elite Eight appearances
- 14x Sweet 16 appearances
- Assistant coach for Team USA in the 2024 Paris Olympics (gold medal)
Few, the winningest active NCAA Division I coach by a winning percentage at 83.2 percent with a 773-156 overall record, is behind one of the greatest stories in the history of college basketball. He built a powerhouse from the ground up at the mid-major level with little to no resources or financial support. And it was all done the right way, no cutting corners.
A unique mind that has adapted to the always-changing game that the NCAA presents. An elite recruiter both in the States and all across the globe, spotting talent where no one else would have noticed. A master negotiator when it comes to non-conference scheduling with high-majors.
Congratulations to the native of Creswell, Oregon, Fewie. To many more years in the Kennel and finally bringing back that national championship to the Lilac City. Thanks for everything.
Arden Cravalho is a Gonzaga University graduate from the Bay Area… Follow him on X @a_cravalho
