Oops, Ray did it again.
ASU athletic director Ray Anderson took what appeared to be a dwindling head coaching situation and found a perfect fit, hiring former Duke point guard and Buffalo head coach Bobby Hurley as its next men's basketball coach.
The résumé? Impressive.
A championship pedigree? With two national titles to boot, you betcha.
Coaching roots? Who better to look at than his father, Bob Hurley Sr., who has a national record with 27 state titles in the state of New Jersey at St. Anthony's High School in Jersey City.
ASU was dealt a difficult hand when Duke associate head coach Jeff Capel, widely considered to be the front-runner for the job when it opened up March 24, reportedly removed himself from consideration for the job.
Many, including myself, criticized Anderson for the way he handled the head coaching search:
ASU simply took too long by waiting for Capel's decision. Now it doesn't seem like anyone would be much of an improvement.
— Fabian Ardaya (@fardaya15) April 7, 2015
ASU waited on Capel until after the Final Four, most other openings are already filled and he doesn’t even end up visiting Tempe. That’s bad
— SunDevilSource.com (@SunDevilSource) April 7, 2015
At this point there’s nothing that leads me to the conclusion that ASU’s handled this search in a competent fashion. At all.
— SunDevilSource.com (@SunDevilSource) April 7, 2015
Liking the drama of this ASU coaching search. Not sure I'd go as far as calling the AD incompetent though. Seems early/harsh/laughable.
— Ralph Amsden IV (@ralphamsden) April 7, 2015
Anderson, however, clearly had other ideas.
Hurley was one of my main favorites in the coaching search when it began for all of the reasons listed above, but I just never thought he would leave Buffalo to take a job out west.
Now, the former Blue Devil becomes a Sun Devil.
Hurley comes to ASU riding a huge wave of momentum, coming off a NCAA Tournament appearance with Buffalo and having four returning starters meet him in Tempe.
His promise is simple — make ASU men's basketball relevant.
"Our purpose is to mold championship-caliber young men on the court, in the classroom and around the community," Hurley said in a statement Thursday. "We are here to set a new standard, to make regular trips to the NCAA Tournament, and regularly compete for conference and national titles."
The Hurley era already sounds like a lot of fun.
"With our fast-paced and aggressive style of play, we are going to make Sun Devil Basketball a destination for in-state, national, and international basketball talent," Hurley said.
ASU basketball looks to be exciting under Hurley, returning quality players in point guard Tra Holder and forward Savon Goodman who should be able to make the Sun Devils a contender to make the NCAA Tournament in 2016.
Anderson's message was simple when Sendek was fired — he wants championships.
Well, Ray, Hurley has some.
"Bobby is energetic, passionate and tough, and his contagious competitive fire will bring unmatched vigor to our men's basketball program," Anderson said in his statement Thursday. "A teacher, first and foremost, he is a proven winner both as a player and a coach, and understands the steps it takes to be a champion."
ASU president Michael Crow got the message as well.
"In Bobby Hurley, we have found a top-flight coach who will take our basketball program to the next level and a mentor who will foster academic success among all our student-athletes," Crow said in a statement Thursday.
It appears that the 942 Crew and the fans are on board as well:
Thank you, Internet. RT @Joey_Artigue: Bobby Hurley is your new @SunDevilHoops head coach! #HurleyASU pic.twitter.com/r2IGSyOMca
— State Press Sports (@statepresssport) April 9, 2015
Coach Hurley + Curtain of Distraction =
The 942 Crew has Hurley's approval, as shown in his statement Thursday.
"You are pioneers and truly special, so thank you for changing the way students participate in the game with the Curtain of Distraction," Hurley said in his statement.
Hurley has the name to recruit, a championship pedigree, coaching ability, academic priorities and a love for student involvement and old ladies distracting free throw shooters.
Sounds like a lot of fun.
Reach the assistant sports editor at fardaya@asu.edu or follow @fardaya15 on Twitter.
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