Trending Now - Arizona State Selects Randy Bennett as New Head Coach
WHO:
Randy Bennett is a native of Mesa, Arizona.
Mickey McConnell has been on the Saint Mary's coaching staff since 2019.
Randy Bennett, 63, is an Arizona native who previously coached at Saint Mary's.
Mickey McConnell, associate head coach of Saint Mary's, played for Bennett from 2007 to 2011.
Graham Rossini, Arizona State athletic director
Arizona State University (ASU)
Randy Bennett, head coach of Saint Mary's
Bobby Hurley, former head coach of Arizona State
Mickey McConnell, associate head coach of Saint Mary's
WHAT:
Bennett's final season at Saint Mary's included a loss in the first round of the NCAA Tournament to Texas A&M.
Bennett's overall record at Saint Mary's includes a 7-12 record in NCAA Tournament games.
Arizona State's last NCAA Tournament appearance was in 2022-23, marking three trips in 11 seasons under Bobby Hurley.
Bennett amassed a 589-228 overall record and a 304-99 record in West Coast Conference play during his 25 seasons at Saint Mary's.
Bennett's teams made 12 NCAA Tournament appearances, including a Sweet Sixteen trip in 2010.
Arizona State last made the NCAA Tournament in 2023, marking the third appearance under Bobby Hurley.
Randy Bennett spent 24 seasons at Saint Mary's, leading the program to 12 NCAA Tournament appearances.
Bennett won at least 20 games in 18 of the last 19 seasons and claimed four straight West Coast Conference (WCC) regular-season titles.
Bennett earned WCC Coach of the Year honors seven times.
Arizona State has hired Randy Bennett as its new head coach.
Bennett is receiving a five-year contract.
Saint Mary's has promoted Mickey McConnell to head coach as Bennett's replacement.
WHERE:
Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona
Saint Mary's College, Moraga, California
WHEN:
The hiring announcement was made on Monday, March 23rd, 2026.
Bennett informed his current team of his departure during a team meeting on Monday, March 23rd, 2026.
WHY:
Arizona State is seeking a new head coach after Bobby Hurley's contract was not renewed following 11 seasons and three NCAA Tournament appearances.
Arizona State was drawn to Bennett's sustained success over multiple decades, strong recruiting relationships on the West Coast, and proven ability to identify and develop international talent.
Arizona State is seeking a new head coach following the departure of Bobby Hurley.
HOW:
Arizona State athletic director Graham Rossini stated, "Coach Bennett is one of the most accomplished and respected coaches in college basketball."
Arizona State athletic director Graham Rossini stated, "Coach Hurley has made incredible contributions to the sport of basketball... We are so grateful for the 11 years that Coach, Leslie, Cameron, Sydney and Bobby Jr. spent with us at ASU."
Bennett stated, "It was going to take a special situation for us to leave Saint Mary's. We are in the best basketball conference in the nation and I look forward to the opportunity."
The hiring process involved finalizing a contract with Bennett, as reported by sources to ESPN.
(UPDATED March 24, 2026 09:28 UTC)
In a significant development for college basketball, Arizona State athletic director Graham Rossini praised Randy Bennett, calling him "one of the most accomplished and respected coaches." Bennett, a native of Mesa, Arizona, recently wrapped up his final season at Saint Mary's, which ended with a loss to Texas A&M in the first round of the NCAA Tournament, bringing his overall tournament record to 7 wins and 12 losses. Meanwhile, Arizona State has not made an NCAA Tournament appearance since the 2022-23 season, marking three trips in 11 seasons under coach Bobby Hurley.
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(UPDATED March 24, 2026 05:40 UTC)
Arizona State is on the hunt for a new head coach after deciding not to renew Bobby Hurley's contract following 11 seasons and three NCAA Tournament appearances. Randy Bennett, a 63-year-old Arizona native who previously coached at Saint Mary's, boasts an impressive overall record of 589 wins to 228 losses, including a remarkable 304 wins to 99 losses in West Coast Conference play during his 25 seasons there. Associate head coach Mickey McConnell, who played for Bennett from 2007 to 2011, is among those reflecting on Bennett's successful tenure, which included 12 NCAA Tournament appearances and a Sweet Sixteen run in 2010.
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(UPDATED March 24, 2026 04:11 UTC)
Arizona State has announced the hiring of Randy Bennett as their new head basketball coach, following his impressive 24-season tenure at Saint Mary's, where he led the program to 12 NCAA Tournament appearances. Bennett, who won at least 20 games in 18 of the last 19 seasons and was named WCC Coach of the Year seven times, caught Arizona State's attention with his strong recruiting relationships and ability to develop international talent. In his own words, Bennett expressed that leaving Saint Mary's required a "special situation," and he is excited about the opportunity to compete in what he calls the best basketball conference in the nation.
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(UPDATED March 24, 2026 01:43 UTC)
Arizona State University has officially hired Randy Bennett as its new head coach, following the departure of Bobby Hurley, with Bennett receiving a five-year contract. The announcement was made last Monday, and Bennett informed his current team at Saint Mary's of his decision during a team meeting on the same day. In a related move, Saint Mary's has promoted Mickey McConnell to take over as head coach in Moraga, California.