Arizona State Introduces New Basketball Coach in Video

Randy Bennett discusses his vision for reviving the Sun Devils' program after health issues delayed his formal introduction.

Apr. 14, 2026 at 10:51pm

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting fragmented, overlapping shapes and planes in shades of navy, orange, and gold, conceptually representing the dynamic energy and competitive spirit of a basketball game or match.The new era of Arizona State basketball begins with a coach known for building mid-major powerhouses into national contenders.Moraga Today

Arizona State University has introduced its new men's basketball coach, Randy Bennett, through an in-house video interview rather than a traditional press conference. Bennett, who previously spent 25 years building Saint Mary's into a West Coast powerhouse, discussed his excitement to return to his home state and revive the Sun Devils' program, which he sees as having the potential to become a 'power in the Big 12' conference.

Why it matters

ASU's decision to introduce Bennett through a video rather than a press conference has raised questions among the fan base, especially as it coincided with the opening of the transfer portal, during which the team lost many key players. Bennett's health issues upon arrival also complicated the transition, but the school is hoping his track record of success can help restore the Sun Devils to prominence.

The details

In the six-minute video interview, Bennett acknowledged the 'crazy start' to his tenure, citing unspecified health issues that delayed his formal introduction, which was originally scheduled for March 25. He expressed optimism about building ASU into a 'power in the Big 12' and recapturing the program's past glory, when it featured NBA talents like Fat Lever, Byron Scott, and Alton Lister. Bennett said he was 'perfectly happy' at Saint Mary's but saw the ASU job as the only one he would have left for, given his Mesa roots and vision for the program.

  • Bennett was hired as ASU's new head coach in late March 2026.
  • His formal introduction was originally scheduled for March 25 but was delayed due to his health issues.
  • The in-house video interview was posted on ASU's social media channels in mid-April 2026, nearly a month after Bennett's hiring.

The players

Randy Bennett

The new head coach of the Arizona State University men's basketball team, who previously spent 25 successful years building the Saint Mary's program into a West Coast power.

Fat Lever

A former NBA player who starred for Arizona State in the 1980s.

Byron Scott

A former NBA player who also played for Arizona State in the 1980s.

Alton Lister

Another former NBA player who played for Arizona State in the 1980s.

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What they’re saying

“This is the only place I would have left for. And it's been that way. It was not a tough decision for me. It's tough to leave Saint Mary's, to have so much invested there, so many friends and family.”

— Randy Bennett, New Arizona State Basketball Coach

“I want to say home, but it's not only that. When I was coming through high school, this was a power. It's my vision of what Arizona State basketball is. Arizona State was the team back then: Fat Lever, Byron Scott, Johnny Nash, Sam Williams, Alton Lister. Those are all five NBA guys. That's what I grew up on.”

— Randy Bennett, New Arizona State Basketball Coach

What’s next

Bennett and his new coaching staff will continue to rebuild the ASU roster through the transfer portal and recruiting, with the goal of restoring the program to its former prominence in time for the upcoming 2026-27 season.

The takeaway

Randy Bennett's introduction as the new Arizona State basketball coach has been unorthodox, but his track record of success at Saint Mary's and his personal connection to the program's storied past have generated optimism that he can revive the Sun Devils and return them to the upper echelon of college basketball.