Arizona State didn’t need to search for long before finding its next men’s basketball coach.
When the opportunity aligned, the Sun Devils made their move and secured one of the most respected coaches on the West Coast: Randy Bennett.
“Well, he was top of our list since the very beginning. And so we got our guy,” athletic director Rossini told Arizona Sports’ Burns & Gambo on Wednesday. “We’re very excited to get coach Bennett back to the Valley.”
Bennett arrives in Tempe after a remarkable 25-year run at Saint Mary’s, where he built one of the most consistent mid-major programs in the country. His reputation for winning, player development and stability has made him a coveted name whenever jobs open across college basketball.
Rossini pointed to that consistency as a defining factor.
“I think there’s his track record of winning, which is well-known, widely respected, very consistent (and it’s) incredible what he did at St. Mary’s over the 25 years there,” Rossini said. “And most importantly, his connection to the Valley and his want to be at Arizona State University specifically.”
That connection runs deeper than just geography.
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Bennett has long-standing ties to the Phoenix area and grew up around Sun Devil athletics. Rossini shared a story that resonated during the hiring process, one that highlighted just how personal the job is for the new head coach.
“He said, ‘Hey, when I was in high school, I would sneak in the ASU practices,’” Rossini said. “‘That was when Byron Scott, Fat Lever, Alden Lister, all of these legends were on campus… I would find every excuse I could to get over to the Tempe campus.’”
Rossini added that Bennett “never lost that love for the university,” calling the opportunity “deeply personal” for the veteran coach.
Timing, momentum and the Big 12
The hire comes at a pivotal moment for Arizona State, which is still establishing itself in the Big 12. Rossini believes the timing worked in the program’s favor, both in terms of Bennett’s interest and the university’s current trajectory.
“These things are usually all about timing,” Rossini said. “There’s a lot of schools that have maybe had Randy Bennett on a list before, and we were lucky to have the job open at the time that just felt right for him for a lot of different reasons.”
Rossini emphasized the broader growth of both the university and the Phoenix area as key selling points. He noted that Bennett has closely followed ASU’s development and the evolution of the Valley over the years.
Now, the focus shifts to competing in what Rossini called “the best basketball conference in America.”
With that challenge comes a realistic but ambitious expectation. Arizona State is not looking for an overnight transformation, but it is aiming for immediate progress.
“I think step one is, how do we get three, four, or five games better than we’ve been?” Rossini said. “Be in that conversation to get in the tournament as soon as possible, and then keep it growing from there.”
Recruiting reach and early buzz
Bennett’s success has often been tied to his eye for talent, and Rossini believes that will translate quickly in Tempe.
“His recruiting pedigree was a big part of our attraction,” Rossini said. “It’s also his ability to identify basketball talent.”
Bennett’s plan for recruiting is expansive, according to Rossini.
“He wants to really hit the ground running in California, Arizona, New Mexico,” Rossini said. “Now we have a chance to get into Texas because of the Big 12. He will stay very international.”
Rossini also pointed to the transfer portal as an immediate tool to accelerate the rebuild, noting that Bennett’s track record should attract experienced players quickly.
Early signs of momentum are already visible.
“If the first 48 hours are any example… season tickets, people stepping forward, wanting to help, plugging into the program,” Rossini said. “We’ve had a lot of people reaching out with great interest in joining his staff.”
For Rossini, that response reinforces the belief that Arizona State made the right hire at the right time.
“The momentum is real,” he said. “And we want to continue to activate that every single day.”
As the Sun Devils prepare for the grind of the Big 12, they will do so with a coach who understands both the demands of winning and the significance of the program he now leads.
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