History of Mark Few in Timeline

Mark Few is the head coach of the Gonzaga University men's basketball team since 1999. He has built Gonzaga into a national powerhouse, leading them to numerous NCAA Tournament appearances, including two national championship game appearances. Few has received multiple national coach of the year awards and is known for his ability to develop talent and implement a high-scoring offensive system. His tenure has been marked by consistent success, making him one of the most respected coaches in college basketball.

Sections (3)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements Success & Recognition

1955: San Francisco's Consecutive Final Fours

From 1955 to 1957, San Francisco reached three consecutive Final Fours.

1957: San Francisco's Consecutive Final Fours

From 1955 to 1957, San Francisco reached three consecutive Final Fours.

December 27, 1962: Mark Few's Birth

On December 27, 1962, Mark Norman Few was born. He is an American college basketball coach.

Others born on this day/year

1977: Last WCC School at Top Spot

In 1977, San Francisco was the last WCC school to ascend to the top spot before Gonzaga in 2012.

1981: Graduation from Creswell High School

In 1981, Mark Few graduated from Creswell High School where he was a star point guard.

1983: Unpaid Assistant at Creswell High School

In 1983, Mark Few began his coaching career as an unpaid part-time assistant at Creswell High School.

1985: NCAA Tournament Expanded

In 1985, the NCAA tournament expanded to 64 teams, a benchmark referenced when Mark Few achieved Sweet Sixteen appearances.

1986: Paid Position at Creswell High School

In 1986, Mark Few advanced to a paid coaching position at his alma mater, Creswell High School.

1987: Graduation from the University of Oregon

In 1987, Mark Few graduated from the University of Oregon with a BS in physical education.

1988: End of Creswell High School role

In 1988, Mark Few's time as a coach at Creswell High School came to an end.

1989: Joined Gonzaga's Coaching Staff

In 1989, Mark Few joined Gonzaga's coaching staff, beginning his long tenure with the university.

1990: Promotion to Full-Time Assistant

In 1990, Mark Few was promoted to a full-time assistant coach at Gonzaga.

1994: First Postseason Appearance

In 1994, Mark Few helped lead Gonzaga to its first postseason appearance at the National Invitation Tournament.

1994: Marriage to Marcy

In 1994, Mark Few married his wife Marcy.

1995: First NCAA Tournament Appearance

In 1995, Mark Few helped lead Gonzaga to its first NCAA tournament appearance.

1995: WCC Tournament

Since 1995, the Zags have won their way to all but one WCC Tournament championship game.

1996: National Invitation Tournament

In 1996, Mark Few helped lead Gonzaga to its appearance at the National Invitation Tournament.

1997: Double-Digit Losses Since 1997-98 Season

In 1997-98 season, Gonzaga had its first season with double digits in losses, marking the last season until then that they failed to make the NCAA tournament.

1998: National Invitation Tournament Appearance

In 1998, Mark Few assisted Gonzaga to another National Invitation Tournament appearance.

1998: WCC Tournament

Since 1998, the Zags have won their way to every WCC Tournament championship game.

April 1999: Promotion to Associate Head Coach

In April 1999, Mark Few was promoted to associate head coach at Gonzaga University by Dan Monson.

1999: Head Coach at Gonzaga University

In 1999, Mark Few became the head coach at Gonzaga University, marking a significant career milestone.

2001: All-Time Record For Wins In First Three Years

In 2001, Mark Few set an all-time record for NCAA Division I men's coaches by collecting 81 wins in his first three years as a head coach.

2001: West Coast Conference Coach of the Year

In 2001, Mark Few was named the West Coast Conference coach of the year for the first of six consecutive seasons.

2002: Charity Golf Tournament

In 2002, Mark and Marcy Few organized a charity golf tournament under the Coaches vs. Cancer umbrella.

2006: Sixth Consecutive WCC Coach of the Year Award

In 2006, Mark Few completed his sixth consecutive season as the West Coast Conference coach of the year.

2006: Challenges in the 2006-07 Season

The 2006-07 season posed a number of challenges to Mark Few and the Bulldogs.

March 21, 2009: Winningest Coach in School History

On March 21, 2009, Mark Few achieved his 254th win as Gonzaga's head coach, becoming the winningest coach in school history.

2010: Wins Record Surpassed

In 2010, Brad Stevens of Butler surpassed Mark Few's record for most wins in the first three years as a head coach.

2012: No. 2 Ranking in Major Polls

During the 2012-13 season, Mark Few led the Bulldogs to the No. 2 ranking in both major polls, the highest national ranking at the time in school history.

2014: Return to No. 2 Ranking

During the 2014-15 season, Mark Few led the Zags back to the No. 2 ranking in both major polls.

2015: Pan American Games Head Coach

In 2015, Mark Few was the head coach of the United States national team at the Pan American Games, where he led the US to a bronze medal.

2016: Greatest Season

In 2016-17, Mark Few led the Zags to arguably their greatest season up to that point in school history, starting with a school-record 29-game winning streak.

2016: National Coach of the Year Awards

In 2016-17, Mark Few was named as the National Coach of the Year by the Associated Press, Naismith, and the USBWA, and awarded with the Henry Iba Award.

2017: National Championship Game Appearance

In 2017, Gonzaga reached the National Championship game under Mark Few's leadership, marking a significant achievement.

2017: Reached 500 Wins

In 2017, Mark Few became the third fastest coach to reach 500 wins in NCAA Division I history.

2018: Defeated No. 1 Duke

In 2018-19, Mark Few's No. 3 Gonzaga team defeated No. 1 Duke 89-87 in the Maui Invitational final, marking the first time they had beaten Duke and a top-ranked team in team history.