Idaho Vandals
Don Monson became a college head coach in August 1978 at the University of Idaho, his alma mater. In the early 1950s, Monson was a reserve guard for the Vandals who "never started one damn game here." Monson took over a dismal Idaho basketball program from Jim Jarvis, who resigned on July 1 after four poor seasons (26-78, .250) and was under investigation by the NCAA for recruiting violations. Jarvis' 1978 team went just 4-22 (.154) and 1-13 in conference play. The Vandals finished in last place in the eight-team Big Sky every season under Jarvis and had finished no higher than sixth place for seven consecutive seasons.
The first season under Monson brought another last place finish (4-10) in the Big Sky, their fifth straight, and an overall record of 11-15 for the 1979 season, but the groundwork had begun.
In Monson's second season in Moscow, the 1980 Vandals finished second in the Big Sky (9-5) and 17-10 (.630) overall. They lost to Montana in the first round of the four-team conference tournament.
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