TEMPE – Rivalries rarely leave room for honesty, which is why Steve Kerr’s reaction carried more weight than humor. The Golden State Warriors head coach and former Arizona Wildcats legend didn’t hide the familiar disdain for Arizona State. The joking tone was light, and the rivalry was intact, but underneath it was respect for the new ASU head coach Randy Bennett per Ron Kroichick of the San Francisco Chronicle.
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Saint Mary’s head coach Randy Bennett walks in front of the bench in the first half during a first round men’s basketball game of the NCAA Tournament between St. Mary’s and Texas A&M, at Paycom in Oklahoma City on Thursday, March 19, 2026.
Steve Kerr talks about ASU’s hiring of Randy Bennett:
Steve Kerr (noted Univ of Arizona alum) on Randy Bennett taking Arizona State coaching job: “I imagine it’s something different, a life change, and it makes some sense — get re-energized and try something new. I haven’t spoken with him yet, nor will I because I hate ASU.”
— Ron Kroichick (@ronkroichick) March 24, 2026
More from Kerr on Bennett: “He’s a great basketball coach. When you have that kind of success for that long at a place like St. Mary’s, you’ve figured out a lot of ways to be successful. He just wins, and he’s won there forever. It’s a huge loss for St. Mary’s, obviously.”
— Ron Kroichick (@ronkroichick) March 24, 2026
Kerr’s reaction, layered with humor, hinted at that truth. Coaches recognize patterns. Sustained success at a place like Saint Mary’s isn’t accidental; it’s engineered. When a coach of that kind changes environments, expectations follow.
Mar 16, 2026; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr looks on against the Washington Wizards during the second half at Capital One Arena. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-Imagn Images
Randy Bennett didn’t build his reputation on flash. At Saint Mary’s, he built it on repetition, disciplined offense, efficient shooting, and a system that turned overlooked recruits into consistent winners. Over two decades, his teams became a fixture in postseason conversations, not because of star power, but because of structure. That matters for the Arizona State Sun Devils after years of instability under former head coach Bobby Hurley.
Mar 18, 2026; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Saint Mary’s Gaels head coach Randy Bennett gives an interview prior to a practice session ahead of the first round of the men’s 2026 NCAA Tournament at Paycom Center. Mandatory Credit: William Purnell-Imagn Images
College basketball is shifting toward identity-driven programs. The era of quick turnarounds through raw talent alone is fading; continuity and scheme now win in March. Bennett’s track record suggests a coach who doesn’t chase volatility; he eliminates it. For ASU fans, the takeaway is less about rivalry banter and more about trajectory. Arizona State didn’t just make a hire; it invested. The question now isn’t whether Bennett can coach; that’s been answered for years. It’s whether that same formula can translate into a new setting with different pressures.
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Reporter Benjamin Bliklen covers the Arizona Diamondbacks, Arizona Cardinals, and Phoenix Suns for Burn City Sports. You can follow him on his X account, @BenBliklen
