Randy Bennett, the new head coach for Arizona State basketball, just got a monster vote of confidence: nearly 100 men’s Division I coaches crowned him the “best high-major coaching hire of the 2026 cycle.” That’s a huge statement, especially when it comes from the people who actually know the grind of the game.
Coaches Are Talking, And Bennett’s Got The Edge
This wasn’t some random fan poll, this was a survey conducted by CBS Sports college basketball insiders Gary Parrish and Matt Norlander, hitting up Bennett’s peers during the offseason. And the results? They speak volumes. Bennett pulled in 32% of the vote for the top spot. Think about that for a second. More than three out of ten Division I coaches look at all the moves made this year and say, “Yeah, Bennett’s the guy.” Who else was in the running? Jerrod Calhoun, the new Cincinnati coach and coming off a 2025-26 Mountain West Conference Coach of the Year award, snagged second with a close 30%. And then there’s Michael Malone, who took his 2022-23 NBA Champion head coach pedigree to North Carolina, landing third with 16% of the vote. Will Wade, returning to LSU this season with three conference coach of the year awards under his belt, even tied for fifth. The competition was serious, and Bennett still came out on top.
Twenty-Five Seasons Of Proof Before Tempe
Bennett isn’t just some hot new name; he’s been building a reputation for a quarter-century. He made his name by systematically improving the Saint Mary’s program, and he was their head coach for a remarkable 25 seasons. That’s consistency you just don’t see often anymore. During his tenure, his teams weren’t just showing up; they were making noise. Saint Mary’s hit the Sweet 16 back in the 2009-2010 season, a testament to what he can do with a program. Not only that, but they finished in the final AP Top 25 poll on seven different occasions. Seven times, his team was considered one of the best in the nation at the end of the year. Plus, he led them to 12 different NCAA Tournament appearances. Twelve! That’s a serious track record of getting teams into the big dance and making them competitive year after year. Arizona State isn’t just getting a coach; they’re getting a program builder with a proven blueprint for success.
It’s August 26, 2026, and the buzz around Tempe is clearly heating up. With his peers recognizing him as the top hire of the cycle, the pressure is on Bennett to deliver. Can he replicate that Saint Mary’s magic in the desert? College basketball fans will be watching closely to see if this overwhelming peer endorsement translates into immediate success on the court when the new season tips off. You know the other coaches are already looking at their schedules and wondering what Bennett has cooking.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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