Arizona State Basketball Appoints Randy Bennett, Veteran Saint Mary’s Coach
Randy Bennett is leaving Saint Mary’s after 25 seasons to become Arizona State’s new coach. The 63-year-old concluded his Saint Mary’s tenure with a 63-50 loss to No. 10 seed Texas A&M. That game came in the first round of the 2026 Men’s NCAA Tournament.
Bennett’s record and program-building
Bennett took over Saint Mary’s in 2001. It was his first head coaching job.
He transformed the Gaels into a perennial mid-major power. The program reached the NCAA Tournament 12 times under his leadership.
| Seasons at Saint Mary’s | 25 |
| Overall record | 589-228 |
| NCAA Tournament appearances | 12 |
| WCC regular-season titles | 7 |
| WCC tournament titles | 4 |
| Conference win rate | More than 75% |
Saint Mary’s enjoyed sustained success in recent seasons. The Gaels posted at least 26 wins in each of the last five seasons.
His most notable NCAA run came in 2010. As a 10th seed, Saint Mary’s advanced to the Sweet 16.
Player development
Bennett coached high-level talent that reached the NBA. Notable alumni include Patty Mills and Matthew Dellavedova. Both players later won NBA championships.
What Arizona State inherits
The hire brings local ties. Bennett is from Mesa, Arizona, near the Phoenix campus.
Arizona State Basketball now turns to a veteran Saint Mary’s coach for program revival. He arrives with decades of winning experience.
Arizona State struggled to sustain success under Bobby Hurley. Hurley led the program for 11 seasons.
Under Hurley, the Sun Devils made three NCAA Tournaments. Each appearance came as an 11 seed. The team won two First Four games during that span.
The program’s last deep tournament run was a Sweet 16 in 1995. The current move places Bennett in a challenging Big 12 environment.
Conference and competitive outlook
The Sun Devils have endured a losing conference record in their first two Big 12 seasons. The Big 12 remains one of the nation’s toughest leagues.
Bennett will face tougher recruiting battles and a higher weekly slate. Expectations will include raising win totals and postseason consistency.
Implications for Saint Mary’s and the WCC
Bennett’s departure opens a new era at Saint Mary’s. The West Coast Conference also faces change.
Gonzaga’s move to the Pac-12 next season will reshape the WCC landscape. Saint Mary’s must navigate that altered conference balance.
- Program succession and coaching search will follow Bennett’s exit.
- WCC postseason seeding could shift with Gonzaga’s departure.
- Saint Mary’s retains a strong recent resume despite the coaching change.
Filmogaz.com will monitor developments as Arizona State integrates its new coach. The transition marks a major West Coast college basketball realignment.
