On April 6, 2007, Monson was named the head coach at Long Beach State. The 49ers improved in each of Monson's first several seasons, to the point that on February 24, 2011 Long Beach defeated Cal Poly 61–55 to clinch their first Big West regular season title since 2006–07 and the #1 seed in the Big West Tournament. The following season, Long Beach State won the conference's regular season (15–1) and tournament titles, and advanced to the 2012 NCAA Tournament. In all, Monson has led the 49ers to postseason play four times, won the Big West Conference men's basketball championship three times, and been named Big West Conference Coach of Year award three times.