ASU's Randy Bennett Assembles Coaching Staff, Builds Roster for Competitive 2026-27 Season

Athletic Director Graham Rossini provides updates on Bennett's transition and plans for the Sun Devils' future.

Apr. 19, 2026 at 11:26am

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A fragmented, geometric painting in maroon and gold hues, capturing the dynamic movement and competing perspectives of a basketball game or match, reflecting the transitional period for the Arizona State Sun Devils program.A cubist interpretation of the energy and intensity of Arizona State's basketball program under new coach Randy Bennett, as the Sun Devils look to build a competitive roster for the challenging Big 12 conference.Tempe Today

Arizona State University's new men's basketball head coach Randy Bennett is making progress in assembling his coaching staff and building the roster for the upcoming 2026-27 season. ASU Athletic Director Graham Rossini spoke to the media, revealing that Bennett has been back in his office for over a week and is finalizing an 'exciting' coaching staff that includes former Division I head coaches Rick Croy and David Patrick, as well as Joe Rahon from Bennett's previous program at St. Mary's. Rossini also hinted at additional high-profile hires coming soon. The focus now is on roster-building, with the Sun Devils pursuing former St. Mary's forward Paulius Murauskas and former Portland point guard Joel Foxwell to bolster the team.

Why it matters

After a rocky start to the Randy Bennett era, these developments suggest ASU is poised to field a competitive team in the tough Big 12 conference next season. Bennett's ability to quickly assemble an experienced coaching staff and attract top transfer talent bodes well for the Sun Devils' long-term outlook under his leadership.

The details

Rossini revealed that Bennett has been back in his office at Weatherup Center for over a week and is hard at work finalizing his coaching staff. The staff now includes former Division I head coaches Rick Croy and David Patrick, as well as Joe Rahon who followed Bennett from St. Mary's. Rossini also hinted at two more exciting additions to the staff, potentially including former ASU point guard Derek Glasser. On the roster front, the Sun Devils are pursuing former St. Mary's forward Paulius Murauskas and former Portland point guard Joel Foxwell to bolster the team for the 2026-27 season.

  • Bennett has been back in his office for about a week and a half.
  • Foxwell is visiting ASU on Saturday.

The players

Randy Bennett

The new head coach of the Arizona State Sun Devils men's basketball program.

Graham Rossini

The athletic director of Arizona State University.

Rick Croy

A former Division I head coach who is now on Bennett's staff at ASU.

David Patrick

A former Division I head coach who is now on Bennett's staff at ASU.

Joe Rahon

An assistant coach who followed Bennett from St. Mary's to ASU.

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What they’re saying

“I wouldn't call it a tough start, a rough start. It's an unusual start. You know, when you can't hit the ground running, maybe the way that you design a coaching transition. Good news is he's been back in the office for about a week and a half, hard at work on finalizing his staff. We got a really exciting coaching staff that's come together.”

— Graham Rossini, Athletic Director, Arizona State University

“I know Coach Bennett is so fired up to be at ASU, it's really cool to see his enthusiasm for the opportunity, to see his excitement about joining Sun Devil Nation... First order of business is getting this team put together, and they're hard at work. And I know a few players have been announced. There's a few more that we've got... very, very excited with the early work that this group is putting in, and can't wait to talk about that some more.”

— Graham Rossini, Athletic Director, Arizona State University

What’s next

Arizona State is still firmly in the process of acquiring former Saint Mary's forward Paulius Murauskas, and is having former Portland point guard Joel Foxwell in for a visit on Saturday. Adding both Murauskas and Foxwell would go a long way towards making a statement that the 2026-27 Sun Devils will be ready to compete in the thick of a Big 12 that will continue to be a daily gauntlet.

The takeaway

Despite a rocky start, the Randy Bennett era at Arizona State is gaining momentum as he assembles an experienced coaching staff and pursues high-profile transfer talent. These moves suggest the Sun Devils could be poised to field a competitive team in the challenging Big 12 conference next season, potentially marking the start of a new era of success for the program.