ASU hires Bobby Hurley as new men’s basketball coach

Former Duke point guard Bobby Hurley became a “two-and-done” at Buffalo on Thursday agreeing to terms to become the new men’s basketball coach at Arizona State University.

Hurley rose to fame as a scrappy point guard from New Jersey leading the Blue Devils to back-to-back NCAA Championships in 1991 and 1992. He was a former McDonald’s All-American earning Final Four MVP honors in 1992 and First-Team All-American honors in 1993. The media favorite was a lottery pick of the Sacramento Kings in 1993 but had his playing career derailed early after being thrown from his car during a traffic accident.

In 2010 Bobby joined his brother Dan on the staff at Wagner College. The brothers then took jobs at Rhode Island in 2012 before Bobby took over as Buffalo’s head coach in 2013.

Over two seasons at Buffalo, the Bulls twice finished first in the Mid-American Conference East Division winning 13 league games in 2013-2014 and 12 in 2014-2015. Hurley led the Bulls to the Second Round (Round of 64) of the NCAA Tournament this season drawing the eye of top Division-I programs across the nation after winning the Mid-American Conference Tournament.

Hurley replaces Herb Sendek after the Sun Devils posted an 18-16, 9-9, record in 2014-2015. Over nine seasons in Tempe Sendek could only lead ASU to the NCAA Tournament twice posting a win-loss record of 155-133.

ASU Athletic Director Ray Anderson released a statement about his new hire writing, “Bobby is energetic, passionate and tough, and his contagious competitive fire will bring unmatched vigor to our men’s basketball program. A teacher, first and foremost, he is a proven winner as both a player and a coach, and understands the steps it takes to be a champion.”

Written by Ryan Wright
Photo credit: ubbulls.com; Bobby Hurley on the court at Buffalo.