ASU hires Duke legend Hurley as head coach

Apr 9, 2015 - 11:26 PM Tempe, AZ (SportsNetwork.com) - Arizona State hired Duke legend Bobby Hurley as its new head men's basketball coach on Thursday.

Hurley, who led Duke to consecutive national championships as a point guard in the 1990s, spent the past two seasons coaching Buffalo.

He guided the Bulls to the program's first NCAA Tournament appearance this year in just his second season at the helm.

Hurley said in a statement issued by Arizona State that it was "difficult" to leave Buffalo, but that coaching the Sun Devils "is a tremendous opportunity."

He replaces Herb Sendek, who was fired March 24 after going 159-137 in nine seasons coaching the Sun Devils.

"We conducted an exhaustive search and after numerous discussions with many of basketballs most knowledgeable and respected individuals, one thing became clear: Bobby is the right person to lead this program to new heights," ASU athletic director Ray Anderson said.

Hurley, who still ranks as the NCAA's all-time leader in assists, went 42-20 at Buffalo. The Bulls lost to West Virginia in their NCAA Tournament opener.

"It is important for us to continue to build on the success with a new leader and I am extremely confident that we will find a leader who can take our program to even greater heights," Buffalo athletic director Danny White said in a statement.