Randy Bennett Leads Arizona State After Saint Mary's Tenure
The Mesa native took over as Arizona State head coach in March 2026 after spending 25 seasons with Saint Mary's.
Updated on Oct. 21, 2026 in Basketball
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Mesa native Randy Bennett accepted the head coaching position at Arizona State in March 2026, ending his 25-season tenure at Saint Mary's. Bennett, who holds 589 career coaching wins, replaced former head coach Bobby Hurley to lead the program in Tempe.
Why it matters
Bennett pursued the Arizona State opening after noting the increasing difficulty of securing at-large NCAA tournament bids in the West Coast Conference. He chose the school because he is a local native and had long targeted the position.
Randy Bennett holds 589 total career coaching wins and secured 11 conference titles during his 25 seasons at Saint Mary's. He brings a 19-11 career record against BYU into his new role at Arizona State.
The players
Randy Bennett
He is the head coach of Arizona State who previously spent 25 seasons coaching at Saint Mary's.
Bobby Hurley
He is the former head coach of the Arizona State basketball team who was replaced in March 2026.
BYU
This is a collegiate basketball program that left the West Coast Conference in 2023.
The details
Bennett decided it was time for a change after achieving significant success at Saint Mary's and identifying shifts in conference tournament dynamics. He now prepares his new team for a scheduled matchup against his frequent former opponent, BYU, on January 2, 2027.
Timeline
2013: Matthew Dellavedova hit a game-winning shot against BYU.
2018: BYU defeated Saint Mary's in the WCC semifinal.
2020: TJ Haws hit a game-winning shot against Saint Mary's.
March 2026: Randy Bennett became Arizona State head coach.
January 2, 2027: Arizona State plays BYU.
Season Trajectory
Bennett's arrival marks a strategic pivot for the Sun Devils as they navigate the post-Hurley era and adjust to new conference landscapes. The upcoming January 2027 matchup against BYU serves as an early barometer for the program's competitive standing.
Fans in Tempe can look forward to the January 2, 2027, game against BYU, which serves as a major test for Bennett's new system. The coach enters this contest with a 19-11 historical record against the opponent, offering a familiar tactical dynamic.
The takeaway
Randy Bennett's transition to his hometown program highlights the impact of conference realignment on long-term coaching decisions. Supporters of the team should monitor how Bennett translates his two-decade tenure of success at Saint Mary's to the new competitive demands in Tempe.
Further reading
For more updates on the program, visit the Tempe Basketball page.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Deseret News.
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