Mark Few

For more than 25 years, Mark Few has exemplified transformational leadership in college basketball, turning Gonzaga University from a regional program into one of the most respected and consistent teams in the nation. Since assuming the head coaching role in 1999, Few has built a culture defined by trust, development, accountability, and collective purpose—principles that have sustained Gonzaga’s success across generations of players and evolving eras of the sport.

Few’s leadership philosophy is rooted in long-term vision. Rising through the program after a decade as an assistant, he understood Gonzaga’s identity before reshaping its ceiling. Under his guidance, the Bulldogs have reached 26 consecutive NCAA Tournaments, captured 22 West Coast Conference regular-season titles and 20 tournament championships, and advanced to two national championship games, five Elite Eights, and thirteen Sweet Sixteens. Entering the 2025–26 season, Few owns the highest active winning percentage in NCAA Division I men’s basketball, a reflection of consistency rather than short-term peaks. In April 2026, Few was selected as a member of the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame’s 2026 class.

Central to Few’s success is his ability to build teams, not just rosters. Gonzaga’s program is widely recognized for its unselfish, skill-based style of play and for developing players holistically—athletically, intellectually, and personally. Few has coached 22 All-Americans, nine Academic All-Americans, and more than 100 all-conference selections, while fostering a team-first environment that consistently translates to high-level performance. His players are known for basketball IQ, adaptability, and professionalism, traits that have carried many into long NBA careers.

Few’s approach to leadership emphasizes empowerment and collaboration. He challenges his teams with demanding nonconference schedules, embraces innovation, and adapts continuously—successfully integrating international players, transfers, and young talent into cohesive units. This adaptability has allowed Gonzaga to remain nationally relevant across multiple cycles, from early breakthrough teams to modern rosters featuring future NBA standouts such as Domantas Sabonis, Rui Hachimura, Jalen Suggs, Corey Kispert, and Chet Holmgren.

Beyond Gonzaga, Few’s leadership has been recognized on the global stage. He has served in multiple roles with USA Basketball, including head coach of the 2015 Pan American Games team and assistant coach for Olympic and World Cup squads, earning a gold medal at the 2024 Paris Olympics. Working alongside elite NBA coaches, Few has demonstrated the same collaborative, people-centered leadership that defines his college program.

Off the court, Few has built a parallel culture of service and impact. Along with his wife, Marcy, he has helped raise more than $25 million through Coaches vs. Cancer and the Community Cancer Fund, supporting cancer research, patient care, and family services throughout the Inland Northwest. These efforts reflect the values he instills daily—humility, responsibility, and commitment to something larger than oneself.

Honored with the John R. Wooden “Legends of Coaching” Award, Mark Few’s legacy extends far beyond wins and banners. His enduring impact lies in building teams that last, leaders who grow, and a program anchored in integrity, excellence, and shared purpose.