Bobby Hurley to Return for Eleventh Season with Arizona State Basketball

TEMPE, Ariz. — Arizona State University has decided to retain Bobby Hurley as the head coach of its men’s basketball team for the 2025-2026 season, a source confirmed to The Associated Press. This decision comes despite a turbulent season that saw the Sun Devils struggle in their first year in the Big 12 Conference.

Hurley’s future was uncertain, especially after a disappointing finish where ASU finished second-to-last in the conference and lost ten out of eleven games leading up to the Big 12 tournament game against Kansas State. Under Hurley’s leadership, Arizona State concluded the season with a 13-19 record, including a 4-17 mark in conference play.

The coach, who has one year remaining on his contract, has had a mixed tenure at Arizona State since joining in 2015 after a successful stint at Buffalo where he led the team to its first NCAA tournament appearance. In his ten seasons with the Sun Devils, he has guided the team to three NCAA tournament berths, but recent years have seen a decline in performance, with four losing seasons in the past five years.

Arizona State athletic director Graham Rossini remarked on the expectations for the program, stating, “It’s an expectation, it’s not a goal,” when questioned about NCAA tournament participation.

This season, expectations were high for Hurley following a significant recruiting class that included top prospects like Jayden Quaintance and Joson Sanon. However, injuries and a dismissal due to conduct issues further complicated an already challenging season. Hurley ended the season with only six scholarship players available late in the game due to various injuries.

Despite these challenges, conversations among basketball boosters suggested growing support for Hurley, as many believed that retaining him would increase the chances of keeping key players like Quaintance and Sanon. The program is also pursuing five-star recruit Koa Peat, which could bolster the team’s prospects next season.

Hurley has reportedly expressed interest in extending his contract as he heads into the final year. However, the likelihood of an extension remains uncertain amid the program’s financial considerations. Firing the coach would result in significant financial repercussions, especially as the university seeks to renovate its basketball arena and invest in other sports.

In summary, Bobby Hurley will continue as Arizona State’s head coach, with the hope that he can steer the program back to success in a highly competitive Big 12 landscape while potentially retaining top talent for the next season.