So, you know Mark Few.
You see the suit, the calm demeanor, and the scoreboard ticking up in Spokane.
But do you really get the guy? Most people just see the Final Four banners and think, ‘Oh, another winning coach.’ But honestly, looking at the numbers and the way the game has evolved, Few is doing something different.
He’s built a program that is basically a machine, but not the flashy kind that makes ESPN highlights every five minutes.
He’s the quiet storm.
The Spokane Wizard: Who is Mark Few?
Mark Few didn’t just fall into coaching.
He was a player at Gonzaga back in the 80s.
He played under Dan Fitzgerald and learned the ropes.
Then, in 1999, he took the job as the head coach.
The expectations weren’t huge back then.
Heck, they were basically non-existent.
The school was in the West Coast Conference, and nobody was watching.
But he stayed.
But there’s a catch.
It’s rare to find someone who sticks with one program for their whole career.
Usually, coaches jump around for better pay or bigger markets.
Not Mark Few.
From what I’ve seen, loyalty is huge with him.
He built the roster from the ground up, using his connections from his playing days and a specific type of player he liked.
The Coaching Philosophy: Grind > Flash
Mark Few’s style isn’t pretty basketball.
It’s ugly in a good way.
He teaches his teams to grind down opponents. And this is where things get interesting.
His offensive sets are designed to get you to the free-throw line and take tough shots.
He hates turnovers.
He hates lazy passing.
Oddly enough,
And it works.
But here is the thing people miss: he coaches the whole player.
You see it in interviews. Now think about that for a second.
He talks about family, about kids growing up, about life off the court.
Most coaches just talk X’s and O’s.
Few talks about being a good human.
That is why his players stay.
They don’t just play for the win; they play for him.
Building the Monster (and the 2021 Miracle)
Everyone remembers the 2021 Final Four run. Oddly enough,
It was magical.
They went from a low seed to the title game against Baylor.
But most people forget that they also played in the 2017 Final Four.
That’s where the perception changed.
Before 2017, Mark Few was a ‘good coach.’ After 2017, he became a ‘potential national champion coach.’
Still, critics always had something to say.
‘He can’t win the big one.’ ‘His style is too slow.’ But then 2021 happened.
He took a roster that looked beatable and just…
played better.
They beat the UConn Huskies.
They broke the game open.
The ‘Under Armour’ Connection
Let’s talk business for a second.
Mark Few has a massive deal with Under Armour.
His players wear the gear.
But it’s not just about the money.
It shows the respect he has in the industry.
Even top NBA players, like Chet Holmgren and Zach Edey, have worn his gear.
It puts Gonzaga on the map for recruits who usually only look at Duke or Kansas.
- Consistency over the years.
- High NBA draft picks.
- Global recruiting reach.
Why Mark Few Deserves More Respect
I’m going to say something controversial.
The media loves to hype up Coach K or Mike Krzyzewski.
They love talking about their dynasties at Duke.
But in terms of longevity and consistency, Few is up there.
He’s taken a mid-major school and made them a national brand.
Look at the recruiting rankings.
They are always top 10.
Usually top 5.
That is insane for a school in Spokane, Washington. And this is where things get interesting.
It’s a small market.
No NYC, no LA.
Yet, he gets the best players. Here’s the interesting part.
How? Because his players know they will get exposure.
They know they will get to play in front of big crowds without having to go to a ‘gimmick’ conference.
Is Mark Few the GOAT?
Probably not.
You can’t compare him to Dean Smith or John Wooden yet.
But is he the best active coach in college basketball? Maybe. Here’s the interesting part.
It’s a heated debate.
But looking at the facts, Few has the highest winning percentage of anyone in Division I history who has coached 500+ games.
That stat alone is enough to shut up the haters.
Plus, he’s fun to watch now.
His teams shoot the three really well.
They run fast.
It’s not the slow, plodding game it used to be.
He’s adapted. But there’s a catch.
And that is a skill that not every coach has.
Final Thoughts
Mark Few is the definition of consistency.
He isn’t looking for a quick fix or a scandal.
He is building a legacy.
Whether you are a fan of Gonzaga or just a fan of good basketball, you have to respect what he has done.
He proved that you don’t need to be in a major media market to win.
You just need a great coach and a lot of grit.
Now think about that for a second.
What’s Next for the Bulldogs?
With the program hitting its peak, the pressure is on.
But Few usually handles pressure well.
He’s not the type to crack.
He’s the type to endure.
And right now, that is the most valuable trait in college sports.
Anyway, that’s my two cents on the Wizard of Spokane.
Let me know in the comments if you think he’s the best or if you’d rather have a coach with a ring.
Image source: pexels.com
And this is where things get interesting.
Image source credit: pexels.com