Randy Bennett hire 'home run' for Arizona State basketball

[ASFN Admin]

The Arizona State men's basketball team has found its next coach: Randy Bennett, an Arizona native who built Saint Mary's into a small-school power.

How was his hire received?

Check out some of the instant reactions to the news of Bennett's hire at Arizona State, with some calling the move a "home run" for the Sun Devils, who are trying to elevate the basketball program in the difficult Big 12 Conference.

Did Arizona State make the right choice at head coach?

See how social media responded to the reports of Bennett's move to Tempe.

More: Arizona State names new men's basketball coach, per sources

Randy Bennett hire reaction for Arizona State basketball​

You never know how any hire will work out, but when you hire Randy Bennett at ASU in 2026, you did a very good job. Graham Rossini got a legitimate future Hall of Fame coach to take a job that no prior coach has excelled at in 45 years.

— Chris Karpman (@ChrisKarpman) March 23, 2026

Randy Bennett has more NCAA tourney appearances in the 25 years he’s been at St Mary’s (12) than ASU has in the past 50 years as a program (11).

is it the flashiest hire ever? no. but this is the best pure basketball coach ASU will have had in a long long time.

— Jordan Go-Kart (@J_Kartch) March 23, 2026

With Randy Bennett and Jerrod Calhoun headed to the Big 12, the toughest conference just got tougher.

— Steven Jackson (@stevenpjackson) March 23, 2026

Love the hire on paper. Curious to see if Randy Bennett adjusts.

That Saint Mary’s formula of unathletic Europeans isn’t winning games in the Big 12. https://t.co/s5xR9h6I0c

— College Hoops Unfiltered Podcast (@UnfilteredCBB) March 23, 2026

Whoa. Of all schools to get Randy Bennett away from St. Mary’s, it’s Arizona State?? https://t.co/bfuiFd1JbF

— Rock Chalk Blog (@RockChalkBlog) March 23, 2026

So the Big 12 picks up two good coaches as Randy Bennett and Jared Calhoun are now joining as the Arizona St and Cincinnati heads coaches. Everybody buckle up.

— Grant Smith (@gballer229) March 23, 2026

Randy Bennett to ASU is major

— #Langstweetsgobrazy (@HoodRat_Lang) March 23, 2026

Randy Bennett to ASU. A+ hire. A deep, deep pool of GREAT coaches in the Big 12 gets remarkably deeper

— Jackson Hoppe (@jackson_hoppe) March 23, 2026

Much like how Mark Few is destined to retire at Gonzaga, it seemed Randy Bennett (25 years at St. Mary’s) was destined to do the same. The loss of Gonzaga from the WCC probably changes his thinking.

Also never would’ve thought Arizona State would be the program to lure him away https://t.co/3WkFRYRZzZ

— Brennan Mense (@BrennanMense) March 23, 2026

Never thought I would see the day Randy Bennett leaves Saint Mary’s but this a good hire for Arizona State https://t.co/Eok1G3h0Dq

— College Basketball Craze (@cbbcraze) March 23, 2026

i truly believe randy bennett is best-case scenario at this point for arizona state in this moment.

should bring stability with coherent, consistent and competitive play, as well as set the program up well for a new era once he’s done and the arena renovations are complete.

— Damon Allred (@iamdamonallred) March 23, 2026

Can’t wait for ASU fans to see what a real college basketball coach is like. Randy Bennett A+ hire. ASU fans can stop acting like Bobby Hurley wasn’t maniac loser (zero tourney wins in 11 years) who was an embarrassing joke that every other fan base laughed at for a decade

— Goldschmidt Happened (@GoldyHappens) March 23, 2026

Randy Bennett has been absolutely incredible at St. Mary’s for a long time.

Outstanding hire by Arizona State.

— Sam Block (@theblockspot) March 23, 2026

I have a ton of respect for Randy Bennett as a coach. Bennett gets to return back to his home state, not far from Tempe, either. A much different style than most Big 12 team, but he’s a proven winner. Really curious how he builds a roster in a bigger conference. https://t.co/AXdqXH8nZB

— Sean Paul (@SeanPaulCBB) March 23, 2026

Randy Bennett at Saint Mary's (2001-2026):

- 12 NCAA Tournament Appearances
- 589-226 (.721 win %)
- 21 Top 3 Finishes in Conference
- 7x WCC Coach of the Year
- Put 6 Players in the NBA (Mills, Dellavedova, etc.)

Home run hire for Arizona State. pic.twitter.com/p8B2yWkGyj

— College Basketball Content (@CBBcontent) March 23, 2026

Randy Bennett is a very good hire for Arizona State.

Hiring a coach who took Saint Mary’s to 12 of the school’s 15 NCAA Tournament appearances cannot be seen as anything other than a home run hire.

The WCC losing both Gonzaga and Randy Bennett going into next season is tough.

— Walker Carey (@walkerRcarey) March 23, 2026

What's your reaction to ASU's hire of Randy Bennett as head coach?

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This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Arizona State basketball's Randy Bennett hire a 'home run'

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