TEMPE — After more than a decade on the sidelines in Tempe, former Arizona State men’s basketball coach Bobby Hurley reflected on his time leading the Sun Devils in a post on X.
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ASU Sun Devils head coach Bobby Hurley yells out to his team as they play the Georgia State Panthers at Desert Financial Arena on Nov. 17, 2025, in Tempe, Arizona. © Joe Rondone/The Republic / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
Arizona State announced this week that Hurley will not return after 11 seasons with the program. He leaves as the second-winningest coach in school history with a 185-167 record and three NCAA Tournament appearances.
Hired in 2015 after leading Buffalo to its first NCAA Tournament berth, Hurley helped revive a program that had struggled for national relevance. Under his leadership, the Sun Devils reached the NCAA Tournament in 2018, 2019 and 2023 and recorded several key wins, including a late-season upset against Kansas this year.
The decision followed a 17-16 season and an 11th-place finish in the Big 12, capped by a 91-42 loss to Iowa State in the conference tournament.
Jan 24, 2026; Tempe, Arizona, USA; Arizona State Sun Devils guard Maurice Odum (5) with head coach Bobby Hurley against the Cincinnati Bearcats in the second half at Desert Financial Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
However, the emotional weight of the job was visible during the final season, as Hurley at times publicly questioned whether his message was still reaching players amid inconsistency. Through the difficult stretches, he still found bright spots in his career at Arizona State.
In the post on X, the former head coach thanked several key people, including ASU President Michael Crow and players, while also reflecting on important moments that helped shape his tenure in the Valley.
— Bobby Hurley (@BobbyHurley11) March 11, 2026
Despite uneven results toward the end of his tenure, Hurley’s impact on the program — and the program’s impact on him — will not be forgotten. Through his coaching presence and experience, he helped show that Arizona State could compete in men’s basketball on a national stage, not just as a football school.
Now, Arizona State begins its search for the next leader of the men’s basketball program, marking a reset after more than a decade.
ASU Sun Devils head coach Bobby Hurley walks onto the court before their game against the Georgia State Panthers at Desert Financial Arena on Nov. 17, 2025. © Joe Rondone/The Republic / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
For Hurley, the focus shifts to his next opportunity, wherever that may be.
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Wendy Lopez is a reporter for Burn City Sports. You can follow her on her X account, @wlopezde
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