Randy Bennett Would Be a Home Run Hire for ASU The Valley is a wonderful place to live—unless you’re the men’s basketball coach at Arizona State University. The challenge of revitalizing a program with limited resources, a struggling arena, and financial constraints has made the search for a new head coach both urgent and complex. Randy Bennett, however, is being considered as a potential solution. Reports indicate he is in serious discussions to replace Bobby Hurley at ASU, despite skepticism about his age and motivations. Bennett, a Mesa native, has a proven track record of success despite limited resources. Over 25 years, he led St. Mary’s to 12 NCAA Tournament appearances, building a program that competes with West Coast mid-majors like Gonzaga. His consistency earned him WCC Coach of the Year honors for four consecutive years (2022–2025). For Arizona State, his hiring could represent a transformative opportunity. The move to the Big 12 has brought mixed results for ASU. While it benefited football under Kenny Dillingham, the basketball program has struggled with NIL limitations, an outdated arena, and a budget that is roughly half of Arizona’s basketball budget. Yet, the Big 12’s recent success—sending eight teams to the NCAA Tournament—means ASU must aim for a top-eight finish in the conference. Bennett’s ability to build a competitive program aligns with this goal. Bennett’s coaching style is distinct. His teams prioritize methodical, slow-paced offenses that rely on motion and backdoor cuts to exploit defensive complacency. Defensively, he employs a pack-line approach, emphasizing teamwork to disrupt opponents’ penetration and force perimeter shooting. This strategy creates a disciplined, unexciting but effective style of play.#big_12 #bobby_hurley #randy_bennett #arizona_state_university #mesa
Arizona State Hires Randy Bennett as Head Coach; Saint Mary's to Promote Mickey McConnell Arizona State has announced the hiring of Randy Bennett as its new head basketball coach, marking a significant shift in the program's leadership. Bennett, 63, will take over after Bobby Hurley, who led the Sun Devils for 11 seasons, had his contract not renewed following this past season. The decision comes as part of Arizona State's broader efforts to strengthen its athletic programs, which have faced scrutiny in recent years. Bennett, a native of Arizona, is set to receive a five-year contract, according to sources. His hiring is expected to bring a mix of experience and strategic vision to the Sun Devils. Saint Mary's, where Bennett has coached since 2001, is anticipated to promote associate head coach Mickey McConnell as his replacement. McConnell, who has worked alongside Bennett since 2019, will step into the role, continuing the Gaels' coaching legacy. In a statement, Bennett expressed enthusiasm for the opportunity, stating, "It was going to take a special situation for us to leave Saint Mary's, and I am energized, driven, and focused on taking over Sun Devil Basketball, a program I am very familiar with and grew up watching." He highlighted the competitive nature of the Big 12 conference and his commitment to helping the Sun Devils achieve their goals. Bennett's tenure at Saint Mary's has been marked by consistent success. Since assuming the head coaching role in 2001, he has guided the Gaels to 12 NCAA tournament appearances, including a Sweet 16 run in 2010 as a 10-seed. The program, which had only three NCAA tournament appearances before Bennett's arrival, has become a dominant force in the West Coast Conference.#arizona_state #bobby_hurley #randy_bennett #saint_mary_s #mickey_mcconnell
Arizona State Sources Say Bobby Hurley's Departure News Is Premature Arizona State Sun Devils basketball coach Bobby Hurley's potential exit from the program has been labeled "premature" by school officials, despite widespread reports suggesting he may not return for a 12th season. The news came just days before the start of the Big 12 Men’s Basketball Tournament, with Hurley’s future remaining uncertain as he nears the end of his contract. The school has not offered an extension, leaving his status in limbo for the 2025-26 season. While the decision to move on is often a signal of impending change, ASU sources emphasized that the timing of the speculation was premature. Hurley’s team is set to face Baylor in the tournament’s first round on March 10, with the game scheduled for 9:30 a.m. MST at T-Mobile Center. The Sun Devils, with a 16-15 record, finished their regular season last week, including a notable upset over No. 14 Kansas on March 3, which was widely considered Hurley’s final home game as head coach. The school could be waiting for the team’s tournament performance before making an official announcement, as the elimination of the squad might influence the timing of any decision. Hurley, 54, joined Arizona State in 2015, succeeding Herb Sendek as head coach and becoming the university’s 14th in that role. Prior to ASU, he led the University at Buffalo for two seasons, compiling a 42-20 record (67.7%). At Arizona State, his overall record stands at 184-166, but the past three years have been his most challenging tenure. The Sun Devils have posted a 43-53 record in that span, with a 19-39 mark in conference play.#t_mobile_center #arizona_state #bobby_hurley #big_12_men_s_basketball_tournament #university_at_buffalo
Bobby Hurley will not return as Arizona State men’s basketball coach after completing his 11th season with the Sun Devils. The Field of 68’s Jeff Goodman reported the news Monday, citing that Hurley’s contract, set to expire at the end of June, will not be renewed. On3’s Pete Nakos confirmed the report, though Hurley and ASU athletic director Graham Rossini plan to meet after the Big 12 Tournament to discuss their future. ASU’s season ended with a 16-15 record overall and a 7-11 mark in the Big 12. The team’s final game of the regular season was a 9-2 start for Hurley, followed by a 9-11 stretch that dashed NCAA Tournament hopes. A late surge included three wins in four games, including an upset over then-No. 13 Texas Tech, but two losses to Baylor and TCU sealed their fate. Despite the struggles, the Sun Devils remain in the Big 12 Tournament, set to face Baylor in a matchup starting at 9:30 a.m. Tuesday. Hurley’s tenure at ASU has been marked by both success and challenges. His overall record of 184-166 (.526) ranks second in program history, behind Ned Wulk’s 405-257 record from 1958 to 1982. Under Hurley, ASU made three NCAA Tournament appearances but never advanced past the first round. The highlight of his career at the school came in 2017-18, when the “Guard U” team led by Tra Holder, Kodi Justice, and Shannon Evans started 12-0, including wins over No. 2 Kansas and No. 15 Xavier. The team reached No. 3 in the AP Top 25 rankings but fell short in the postseason, losing four of its last five regular-season games and a First Four matchup against Syracuse. Hurley’s recent seasons have seen mixed results. After reaching 20 wins in consecutive years, the team’s momentum was disrupted by the pandemic, which canceled a likely NCAA Tournament bid.#big_12_tournament #bobby_hurley #arizona_state #graham_rossini #field_of_68
