Arizona State says Bobby Hurley exit reports 'premature'
John LeuzziThe Bobby Hurley Era at Arizona State is in limbo.
According to Michelle Gardner of the Arizona Republic, part of the USA TODAY Network, the reports that surfaced Monday afternoon of the Sun Devils and Hurley expected to "part ways" at the end of the season are "premature."
There were multiple reports Monday that mentioned the Sun Devils and Hurley are expected to go their separate ways at the end of the season, which could be as soon as Tuesday afternoon in the Big 12 tournament, after 11 years in Tempe.
Hurley entered the 2025-26 season on the final year of his contract and already under heat after the Sun Devils finished with losing records in back-to-back seasons.
Following the Sun Devils' 83-79 win over Baylor in the Big 12 tournament on Tuesday, Hurley answered a question on his job status and told reporters in Kansas City that he hasn't been told anything by Arizona State.
"I talked with the team and you saw the reports. I didn't want to hide anything from them. They're playing for each other. I'm coaching them to the best of my ability," Hurley said. "I have not been told anything (from Arizona State). So, although the source is reputable and a guy that I know, I'm just doing my job and coaching this team and enjoying these moments with this group right now."
He added: "What we're trying to do is win five games in a row. What we're trying to do is potentially harder than winning a national championship."
Hurley's contract, which was obtained by the USA TODAY Sports Network, is set to run through June 30 with the Sun Devils. This means, even if the Sun Devils don't elect to renew Hurley's contract, there will be some money going to him if he is let go by the athletic department. Hurley is owed approximately $900,000 if he is fired.
The Sun Devils have only made it to the NCAA Tournament three times under Hurley, and have finished with a winning record in four seasons. Hurley, the former Duke guard and brother to Connecticut coach Dan Hurley, has only won 20 or more games four times and has not led the Sun Devils to a conference title.
Since the Sun Devils moved to the Big 12, they are 29-35 overall and 11-27 in Big 12 play. The best win for Arizona State under Hurley in the Big 12 came just last week against No. 16 Kansas and Darryn Peterson in Tempe. It marked just the 15th win over a ranked team in his 11-seasons, and the ninth over a top-15 ranked team.
Arizona State opens up Big 12 tournament play on Tuesday, March 10 at 12:30 p.m. ET against Baylor at T-Mobile Center in Kansas City, Missouri as the No. 12 seed in the bracket.
Bobby Hurley record at Arizona State
Here's a season-by-season breakdown of how Arizona State has fared under Hurley:
- 2015-16: 15-17 overall
- 2016-17: 15-18 overall
- 2017-18: 20-12 overall (NCAA Tournament)
- 2018-19: 23-11 overall (NCAA Tournament)
- 2019-20: 20-11 overall
- 2021-22: 14-17 overall
- 2022-23: 23-13 overall
- 2023-24: 14-18 overall
- 2024-25: 13-20 overall
- 2025-26: 16-15 *
* Denotes season still in progress
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