ASU hires Randy Bennett
Arizona State made a major coaching move, hiring Randy Bennett away from Saint Mary’s after a 25‑year run — an instant West Coast coaching shakeup ahead of next season. (arizonasports.com) The hire shifts the Pac‑12/West Coast landscape and will affect recruiting battles this spring. (arizonasports.com)
Randy Bennett agreed to a five‑year deal to become Arizona State’s next men’s basketball coach, the university announced as sources confirmed terms to ESPN. (espn.com) Bennett is leaving Saint Mary’s after a 25‑year tenure in which he became the school’s winningest coach and led the Gaels to a dozen NCAA Tournament appearances, the college said in its release thanking him. (smcgaels.com) A native of Mesa who graduated from Westwood High School, Bennett cited a return to the Valley and family ties as part of the move, details noted in local coverage and ASU’s announcement. (azcentral.com) Saint Mary’s hiring profile under Bennett emphasized his international recruiting pipeline — particularly Australia — that produced NBA players Patty Mills, Matthew Dellavedova and Jock Landale, a track record analysts say ASU will try to leverage in future recruiting cycles. (espn.com) Saint Mary’s moved quickly to promote associate head coach Mickey McConnell to lead the program after Bennett’s departure, the Associated Press and the college both reported. (apnews.com) Bennett replaces Bobby Hurley, whose contract was not renewed by Arizona State on March 11 after 11 seasons and a 185‑167 record, the school said when it announced the coaching change. (espn.com) Sources reporting on ASU’s search say Bennett emerged as the program’s top choice after a pool of about 20 candidates was trimmed to three, and Saint Mary’s noted Bennett had one year remaining on a long‑term deal — a factor that made a transition and any buyout manageable. (arizonasports.com 1) (arizonasports.com 2)
