Arizona State has executed one of the most surprising and impressive hires of the college basketball offseason. Reports indicate that ASU has successfully lured longtime Saint Mary’s head coach Randy Bennett away from Moraga to replace Bobby Hurley in Tempe. The hiring represents a monumental philosophical shift for the Sun Devils.
A Culture Shift in Tempe
For over two decades, Bennett built Saint Mary’s into a perennial mid-major powerhouse, relying on a system of intense defensive discipline, elite rebounding, and highly efficient half-court offense. It is a stark contrast to the fast-paced, guard-heavy system previously run by Hurley. If Bennett can translate his incredible developmental success and international recruiting pipelines to a massive university like ASU, the Sun Devils will quickly become a major force.
