ASU's Coach Search: Top Candidates, Challenges, and Fan Reactions

0:00On March 14, Arizona State University parted ways with men's basketball coach Bobby Hurley three days ago, and the search for his replacement is already underway. As let a director Graham Rossini says, there's no firm timeline, but they hope to name a new head coach soon, especially with March Man as kicking off. Preliminary talks have started, and interviews could begin any day now. Names floating to the top include Creighton's Greg McDermott, a veteran with over 645 wins, though he's had a tough year and might retire. St. Mary's Randy Bennett, a Mesa native, has built a powerhouse program with 11 NCAA trips in 24 years, and sings very interested this time around. Both coaches bring proven success, but their age and schedules add some uncertainty. Then there's Derek Lasser, a former Sun Devil point guard now assisting at UC Santa Barbara. He's pitching big name, image, and likeness money from booster James Hardin to boost the program, despite lacking head coaching experience.

1:02New Mexico's Eric Olin rounds out the buzz, fresh off a solid first year there after starring at UC San Diego, though his high buyout could complicate things, ideas are fans and insiders have mixed takes with some doubting glasser due to his resume and others questioning if older coaches like Bennett or McDermott fit, the long-term vision. Rossini wants experience and stability in the tough big 12 conference, and may challenge his like fundraising and fan engagement. As Brakatology heats up in tournaments unfold, Arizona State aims to lock in a leader fast, to hit recruiting and rebuild momentum for next season.