ASU Assistant Staff Brings This Key Advantage

The Sun Devils are going to benefit from this from the staff.

May 7, 2026; Tempe, Arizona, USA; Arizona State Sun Devils assistant coach EJ Rowland during an introductory press conference at the Weatherup Center. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images | Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

TEMPE -- One of the hallmarks in the early stages of the Randy Bennett era at Arizona State has been that the 18th head coach in the history of ASU men's basketball has been steadfast in building the Sun Devils in the exact manner that he sees fit.

Part of this vision has extended to the coaching staff, as he has officially hired four assistants to his bench, all with extensive experience in the field and familiarity with him from previous connections.

May 7, 2026; Tempe, Arizona, USA; Arizona State Sun Devils basketball head coach Randy Bennett speaks to the media during an introductory press conference at the Weatherup Center. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images | Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

Connor Smith (Arizona State Athletics) curated some eye-opening stats about the staff Bennett has constructed - further contextualizing what was already known to some extent.

Randy Bennett has built one of the nation’s most experienced and respected coaching staffs 🔱

Combined they have…

▶️ 37 years of Division I Head Coaching experience
▶️ 46 years spent on a Division I coaching staff
▶️ 14 years already working under Coach Bennett

📸 @emjeanson https://t.co/PkVWGQtNvN pic.twitter.com/DO4ji6cmuI

— Connor Smith (@asuconnor) May 8, 2026

Those numbers put a jarring amount of perspective into the frame, but don't even truly do justice to how meaningful they will be over the course of the upcoming season.

Continuity Will Serve Sun Devils Well

David Patrick (formerly of Louisiana State) spoke with Arizona State on SI following Bennett's introductory press conference last Thursday, noting that the interconnected nature of the staff has made it easier for them to work together, and that the environment is incredibly collaborative, without any contention.

May 7, 2026; Tempe, Arizona, USA; Arizona State Sun Devils assistant coach David Patrick during an introductory press conference at the Weatherup Center. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images | Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

The least experienced coach on the staff (E.J. Rowland) played for Bennett at St. Mary's and spent 20 years playing professionally before coaching for the Gaels over the last two years. Rick Croy, Patrick, and Joe Rahon served as assistants under Bennett at various points as well, which speaks to how highly the group thinks of the 63-year-old leader.

Recruiting Will be Key

Bennett has labeled Patrick the "best recruiter in the country," and this hypothesis was tested during the former sitting on the sideline a bit while working through a health scare. Patrick, Croy, and the others were instrumental in the roster-construction strategy during that time, with Patrick in particular playing an integral role in bringing Portland transfer Joel Foxwell to Tempe.

Mar 20, 2026; San Diego, CA, USA; California Baptist Lancers head coach Rick Croy reacts in the first half against the Kansas Jayhawks during a first round game of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Viejas Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images | Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

One of the major separators between Arizona State's staff and others is the sheer proficiency in identifying elite talent overseas, particularly in Australia. Arizona's program under Tommy Lloyd and Mark Few's Gonzaga Bulldogs are perhaps the only two that approximate the Sun Devils in that territory.

Roughly six months remain until the Sun Devils open up the 2026-27 season, but there's little doubt in the lead-up that Bennett found the right group to bring the program into a new era. Arizona State is a sleeper team to watch out of the Big 12.