Report: Long Beach State set to hire Chris Acker

Field Level Media|published: Wed 27th March, 12:28 2024

Mar 21, 2024; Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Long Beach State 49ers guard Jadon Jones (12) defended by Arizona Wildcats guard Jaden Bradley (0) during the second half in the first round of the 2024 NCAA Tournament at Vivint Smart Home Arena-Delta Center. credits: Rob Gray-USA TODAY Sports

Long Beach State is finalizing negotiations to make Chris Acker its next men's basketball coach, CBS Sports reported Wednesday.

Acker is in his fifth season as an assistant coach at San Diego State. The Aztecs have reached the NCAA Tournament in four straight seasons, losing to UConn in the national title game in 2023.

The two teams will meet again Thursday when No. 1 seed UConn and No. 5 San Diego State play in the East Region semifinals in Boston.

Acker, a Los Angeles native, previously worked with Long Beach State athletic director Bobby Smitheran, who was the executive associate AD at San Diego State until moving north to Long Beach in August 2023.

Acker would replace Don Monson, who agreed to a "mutual separation" with Long Beach State earlier this month — before winning the Big West tournament and taking his team to the NCAA Tournament. Arizona eliminated Long Beach State in the first round.

Under Monson, the team finished 21-15 (10-10 Big West).

—Field Level Media