After 11 seasons in the desert, Bobby Hurley’s tenure at Arizona State has finally run its course.
Hurley needed to get back to the Big Dance this season after consecutive losing campaigns, but when it became clear weeks ago that wasn’t happening, the writing was on the wall.
The good news for Arizona State is that it immediately becomes one of the more desirable jobs available in a coaching carousel in which no Top 25 gigs are expected to open. And while joining the Big 12 comes with its obvious challenges — notably as the most top-heavy league in the sport — the combination of modest expectations and decent resources makes this a more appealing job than some might expect.
Call list (in alphabetical order)
Randy Bennett, head coach, Saint Mary’s: If Bennett isn’t going to leave Saint Mary’s this spring, it’s hard to envision him ever doing so. But the 63-year-old Arizona native should be among ASU’s first calls, as the most proven college coach on our list. Bennett has won more than 70 percent of his games in 25 seasons with the Gaels, is nearing 600 victories overall, and this season will mark his fifth straight NCAA Tournament berth. Bennett’s age means he probably isn’t going to be the Sun Devils’ long-term solution, but he would undoubtedly flip the program into a winner from the get-go.
Jerrod Calhoun, head coach, Utah State: One of the hottest names this coaching cycle will have his pick of high-major jobs — including potentially at his alma mater, Cincinnati. That said, will the Bearcats’ recent surge earn Wes Miller another season? If it does, Arizona State should attempt to keep the 44-year-old out west. Calhoun is 51-14 in two years with the Aggies, made the NCAA Tournament in his first season with the program (and likely will this season, too), and is considered one of the top up-and-coming coaches in the sport. He’d be a slam dunk hire.
Bryce Drew, head coach, Grand Canyon: There’s a reason Drew has interviewed for multiple high-major openings in recent years. The 51-year-old has made four NCAA Tournaments in his last five seasons at Grand Canyon, and did well navigating the Antelopes’ first season in the Mountain West. His first and only high-major job, at Vanderbilt, didn’t go well, but that was a lifetime ago (given the changing nature of college athletics), and Drew has clearly improved since. He may not be as flashy a name as Bennett or Calhoun, but he’d be a strong choice who could immediately pay dividends on the recruiting trail.
David Fizdale most recently was an assistant coach for the Phoenix Suns. (Mike Christy / Getty Images)
David Fizdale, free agent: According to industry chatter, the longtime NBA coach and two-time champion is interested in exploring the college landscape — and Arizona State makes a ton of sense. For starters, Fizdale, 51, is a California native who played (and coached) at San Diego, meaning ASU fits his West Coast roots. His most recent stint in the NBA also came in nearby Phoenix (2023-25), so he has strong regional ties. Fizdale wouldn’t be the first NBAer to go back to school in recent years; just look at Kevin Young’s immediate success at BYU as proof of what’s possible.
Derek Glasser, assistant coach, UC Santa Barbara: It would be a massive jump for Glasser to go from Big West assistant to Big 12 head coach, but he has fans around the program because of his overwhelming ties. The school’s career assists leader was a high school and college teammate of James Harden — ASU’s most prominent basketball alum — and would seemingly be able to tap into that relationship to benefit the program. He also has agency experience pre-dating his coaching days, valuable in today’s era. Arizona State has had great success hiring one of its own in football, Kenny Dillingham, which has some around the school dreaming of a similar path with Glasser … even if it would be a massive gamble.
Mark Madsen, head coach, California: After consecutive losing seasons to start his time in Berkeley, Madsen has engineered an epic turnaround, guiding the Golden Bears to 21 wins and the NCAA Tournament bubble. That’s nothing short of miraculous, given Cal’s nearly nonexistent name, image and likeness infrastructure, and speaks to the caliber of coach the “Mad Dog” has become. Madsen, 50, is a career West Coast guy with high-major experience, but is still young enough to be the Sun Devils’ long-term answer. He’s gained a lot of fans across the industry for the job he’s done this season.
Eric Olen is still in his first season with the New Mexico Lobos but is sure to get high-major interest given the work he’s done in Albuquerque. (Ethan Miller / Getty Images)
Eric Olen, head coach, New Mexico: Could Olen jump jobs for the second straight offseason? Absolutely, especially with New Mexico’s nebulous future in the Mountain West, which will lose most of its marquee programs to the “new” Pac-12 this summer. Olen led UC San Diego to the NCAA Tournament last season, and he’s wasted little time transitioning up from the Big West. At 22-9, his Lobos are firmly in the mix to go dancing this postseason, validating the 45-year-old as one of the brightest up-and-comers (and defensive coaches) in the sport. This might be a year early, but it’s only a matter of time until Olen gets a high-major job.
Dedrique Taylor, head coach, CSU Fullerton: Like Glasser, Taylor’s ties to the program — notably, as a longtime Herb Sendek assistant — carry his candidacy more than his present credentials. The 51-year-old has made two NCAA Tournaments in 13 seasons with the Titans. But he’s also had eight losing seasons, including a 6-26 mark last year. A run in the Big West tournament could make him a more viable contender, but the Sun Devils can probably do better given their current standing.
Russell Turner, head coach, UC Irvine: Turner, 55, is in his 16th season with the Anteaters and has become a pillar of consistency, with 11 seasons of 20-plus wins. Last season, he led UCI to a top-20 national defensive ranking, per KenPom, earning him some high-major sniffs. He’s only made two NCAA Tournaments — although he would’ve had a third in 2020 — but would be a high-floor option for the Sun Devils, capable of immediately installing a strong defensive culture.