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
