KANSAS CITY, Mo. — And, now, Bobby Hurley waits.
The long-time Arizona State head coach and Duke legend likely coached his final game with the Sun Devils on Wednesday, a 91-42 loss to No. 5 seed Iowa State, a team No. 12 seed Arizona State played on Saturday in Ames, Iowa, in their regular-season finale.
It was a record-breaking result. The Sun Devils (17-16) suffered the worst defeat in the history of the Big 12 Tournament. The 49-point margin broke the previous mark of 43 that was set by Utah over Colorado in 2000.
Bobby Hurley Rumors Swirling
Rumors and reporting have swirled around Hurley the past few days, with several of them indicating that the decision had already been made that he would not return. Hurley said after Tuesday’s 83-79 win over Baylor that he had not been told anything.
Hurley’s contract ends in June. Athletic director Graham Rossini has not said anything publicly about Hurley’s status. Sun Devil Source’s Chris Karpman reported on Tuesday that Hurley is unlikely to be retained but a final conversation and decision hadn’t been made yet.
He reiterated that he hasn’t had conversations about his future after the game but was reflective about his time at ASU.
“It’s been a long road and a special time,” he said. “Two of my kids graduated from there. I’ve coached great young me. I’ve had terrific moments over the years, and this is a great university. I’m not sure what’s going to happen. I haven’t had any conversations yet. I don’t have any regrets. I’ve laid it out on the line every night the best I could.”
Bobby Hurley’s Legacy
If this is the end, the 54-year-old Hurley leaves the Sun Devils with a record of 185-167 in 12 seasons and some unfulfilled expectations. Arizona State never won a conference title. The closest the Sun Devils came was in 2018-19 when they finished second in the Pac-12. The Sun Devils never won a conference tournament title, and he led ASU to three NCAA Tournament bids, the last coming in 2022-23.
Since then, the Sun Devils have struggled. They went 14-18 in their final season in the Pac-12 and finished in a tie for ninth place. In Arizona State’s first season in the Big 12 in 2024-25, the Sun Devils went 13-20 and finished in 15th place.
This season Arizona State looked pointed toward another losing season under Hurley. But a late surge in February, which included a home win over Top 25 Texas Tech, allowed them to finish 17-16 and in a tie for 11th place in the Big 12.
Arizona State Success
Assuming Arizona State moves on, the new coach will inherit a program that is behind many of the other top sports on campus. Football under coach Kenny Dillingham won the Big 12 title in 2024 and reached the College Football Playoff. Women’s coach Molly Miller energized that program in her debut, winning 24 games and putting the Sun Devils on the cusp of the NCAA Tournament.
Arizona State baseball has a long record of success and went to the NCAA Tournament last year. Sun Devils softball went to the NCAA Tournament last year and has been there three times in the last five seasons.
