TEMPE, Ariz. - Bobby Hurley, the passionate leader who once propelled Arizona State to national prominence, is likely stepping away after 11 seasons at the helm. With whispers about his future swirling for the past couple of years, it seemed this season was crucial for his tenure, despite Hurley's denials. His contract is up in June, and the Sun Devils’ hopes of securing an NCAA Tournament spot were dashed with a tough 91-42 loss to Iowa State in the Big 12 Tournament's second round, leaving them at 17-16 for the season.
Reflecting on his journey, Hurley shared, “It’s been a long road, it’s been a special time. Two of my kids graduated from ASU.
I’ve had the opportunity to coach some fantastic young men and had some terrific moments over the years. It’s a great university.
Great administration. I’m not sure what’s going to happen because I don’t know.
I haven’t spoken directly about my future next year to this point. But I don’t have any regrets.”
Hurley, 54, is expected to meet with athletics director Graham Rossini soon. As the program's second-winningest coach, his 185-167 record reflects both achievements and challenges at a demanding power-conference job. Despite moments of brilliance, the team often found itself returning to the middle of the pack.
This season saw Arizona State notch victories over Texas Tech and Kansas, yet missing the NCAA Tournament for the third consecutive year stings. During Hurley's tenure, the Sun Devils made the NCAA Tournament three times, each beginning in the First Four. The 2019-20 season was a missed opportunity due to the COVID-19 pandemic canceling the tournament.
The search is on for a coach who can elevate the program and energize the fan base, much like alumnus Kenny Dillingham has done with football and Molly Miller with women’s basketball. A $100 million renovation for Desert Financial Arena is on the horizon, a much-needed upgrade for a facility so dated that Hurley and his staff often kept recruits from seeing it during visits.
Hurley’s tenure had its highlights. In 2017, with Tra Holder, Shannon Evans, and Kodi Justice leading the charge, the Sun Devils started 12-0, including wins over eventual No. 1 seeds Kansas and Xavier. The community rallied, filling seats that were once hidden by a wall to mask emptiness.
On December 18 of that year, Arizona State soared to No. 3 in the AP Top 25 poll, tying the highest ranking in program history. However, the season ended on a sour note with a First Four loss to Syracuse after a rocky Pac-12 performance.
Hurley, who joined ASU in 2015 after two successful seasons at Buffalo, brought instant credibility as a former Duke All-American point guard. His office was a testament to his illustrious past, adorned with jerseys from an NBA career cut short by a near-fatal car accident in 1993. His fiery demeanor, reminiscent of his father Bob Hurley Sr. and brother Dan, became a staple of his coaching style.
In 2018, school president Michael Crow advised Hurley to manage his “volcanic emotions.” While he improved, his intensity occasionally flared. In 2022, he faced a suspension and fine for confronting officials post-game, and in 2025, he sent his bench players and staff to the locker room during a heated loss to Arizona.
Hurley thrived as an underdog, inspiring his team with his relentless spirit. Before a 2019 game against Arizona, he ran 92 sprints, symbolizing the deficit from previous losses to the Wildcats, rallying his team to victory.
His bold scheduling strategy saw Arizona State face off against powerhouses like Kentucky, Purdue, Gonzaga, and Creighton. A standout moment came on December 22, 2018, when the Sun Devils toppled No. 1 Kansas, with luminaries like Michael Phelps and Grant Hill in attendance.
This season, Hurley appeared worn down at times. After a tough January loss to West Virginia, he admitted his message wasn’t resonating, saying, “I’m failing.” Though the team improved, it wasn’t enough to secure an extension.
In February, Hurley expressed gratitude for his time at Arizona State and a desire to keep coaching, stating, “I’m in my prime right now, and I don’t want to stop.” His journey with the Sun Devils may be concluding, but his passion for the game is far from over.