It might be a make-or-break year for Bobby Hurley as he enters his 11th season guiding the Arizona State Sun Devils.
Hurley’s Tenure at a Crossroads in Tempe
The program is searching for its fourth NCAA Tournament appearance under his leadership and its first since 2023.
Hurley’s time in Tempe has seen both highs and frustrations. His Sun Devils made back-to-back tournament appearances in his third and fourth seasons, and again in 2022-23. But as the 2025-26 campaign begins, the team is looking to snap a two-year drought.
Starting this season, Hurley owns a 168-151 record at Arizona State. Before joining the Sun Devils, he led Buffalo for two years, going 42-20 overall and winning the MAC both seasons. Despite reaching the NCAA Tournament with the Bulls, his coaching record in March Madness remains winless at 0-4.
From Duke Legend to Big 12 Underdog
Before his coaching days, Hurley built his reputation as one of college basketball’s toughest competitors. The St. Anthony High School product became a two-time national champion at Duke, earning Final Four Most Outstanding Player honors and numerous accolades. He was selected seventh overall in the NBA Draft and spent time with the Kings and Grizzlies before transitioning into coaching.
After assistant roles at Wagner and Rhode Island, Hurley landed his first head coaching job at Buffalo in 2013. His fiery energy and player development skills quickly turned heads, earning him the Arizona State job in 2015.
Adjusting to the Big 12 Challenge
The 2024-25 season marked Arizona State’s first as a member of the Big 12, and the transition proved rocky. The Sun Devils finished 4-16 in conference play and placed 15th in the standings. Their year ended with a loss to Nebraska in Las Vegas as part of the College Basketball Crown.
They closed the season on a six-game losing streak, managing just one win over Kansas State in late February. This year’s Big 12 field looks even tougher, with Houston, BYU, Texas Tech, Arizona, Iowa State, and Kansas all projected to contend for the title. The preseason coaches poll ranked Arizona State at the bottom of the conference.
Early Signs of Life in 2025-26
Hurley’s team has started this season with back-to-back wins, showing some early momentum. Arizona State scored 81 points in both contests while holding Southern Utah and Utah Tech to 64 and 66 points, respectively.
The road ahead, however, gets steep quickly. The Sun Devils will host Gonzaga at Desert Financial Arena before facing Texas, Oklahoma, and UCLA in December. Hurley will rely heavily on transfer additions like Mor Massamba Diop, averaging 16 points per game, and Maurice Odom, who’s putting up 11.5 points and seven assists per contest.
The Season That Could Define a Legacy
The message is clear for Hurley and Arizona State: last season’s results were not good enough. The fan base is hungry for a turnaround, and the Big 12 schedule offers little margin for error.
If the Sun Devils can show growth, defend better, and stay competitive in conference play, Hurley’s future in Tempe could be secure. But if struggles continue, this might be the season that defines his tenure once and for all.