(Photo: Reece Andrews)
Since losing to TCU in the Round of 64 on Friday, speculation around Bobby Hurley’s future as Arizona State men’s basketball’s head coach began with job openings around the country. But ASU ended the speculation, announcing an extension with Hurley through 2026.
The contract extension is on the heels of a 23-win season — tied for the most wins during Hurley’s tenure and tied for the most wins since a 25-win season in 2008-09 — that included a bid to the NCAA Tournament. In 2023, the Sun Devils were selected to the First Four, where they defeated Nevada before losing to TCU on Friday.
“Coach Hurley has made our program relevant nationally with many significant wins and an exciting style, along with a firm commitment to the academic success of our student-athletes,” Vice President for University Athletics Ray Anderson said in a statement. “He has made it clear to us that he wants to be here and we have done likewise with him. We share a strong confidence in the present and future state of Sun Devil Men’s Basketball.”
Hurley has led ASU to three Tournaments in eight seasons, including the 2019-20 season, where his squad won 20 games but didn’t make the Big Dance to the cancelation caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Hurley only had one season left on his current contract, which was approved by the Arizona Board of Regents in 2019.
The contract is signed during a period of uncertainty about the Pac-12’s future with a TV media rights deal unknown at this time. Recently, CBS Sports reported the Big 12 “renewed contact” with ASU, Arizona, Colorado and Utah in its conference expansion process. Since then, three of the four schools have denied the report.
While the Sun Devils were preparing to dance in the Tournament, Crow told The State Press that Desert Financial Arena, which opened in 1974, is “completely functional” and does not have an effect on the program’s performance.
“It’s an honor to continue my journey as the head basketball coach at Arizona State University,” Hurley said in a statement. “I want to thank (ASU Present) Dr. (Michael) Crow and Ray Anderson for their commitment to our program and trust in my leadership. I’m looking forward to building off our success this season and taking the program to greater heights in the future.”
