Bobby Hurley, who led Arizona State to three NCAA Tournaments in his 11-season tenure, will not return next season after athletic director Graham Rossini announced Wednesday that Hurley’s contract will not be renewed.
The announcement came just hours after the Sun Devils were pounded 91-42 by No. 7 Iowa State in the second round of the Big 12 tournament in Kansas City, Mo.
“Bobby Hurley has made incredible contributions to the sport of basketball, and that certainly includes many memorable moments during his time as our head coach,” Rossini said in a statement. “While we will not be extending his contract, we are so grateful for the 11 years that Coach, Leslie, Cameron, Sydney, Bobby Jr., and he spent with us at ASU. We wish Coach well moving forward and we are thankful for his leadership while at ASU.”
Hurley leaves as Arizona State’s second-winningest coach in program history with a 185-167 record. Ned Wulk is first with 406 wins from 1957-82.
Not even an upset of No. 14 Kansas in Hurley’s final home game on March 3 nor an opening-round win over Baylor in the Big 12 tournament could save his job amid a disappointing 17-16 campaign and an 11th-place finish in the Big 12.
Hired by Arizona State in 2015, Hurley guided the team to the NCAA Tournament in 2017-18 and again the following season. The Sun Devils also advanced to the dance in 2022-23, but never advanced past the first round under Hurley.
The NCAA’s all-time assists leader, Hurley won two national titles as a player at Duke and coached Buffalo to its first NCAA Tournament berth in 2015 during his second and final season at the school.
–Field Level Media
