TEMPE — The Arizona State coaching search is over a week into being in full motion after the official announcement that the program would be moving forward without Bobby Hurley after a loss on March 11 in the Big 12 tournament.
Speculation has run amok in the week-plus since the change was made official, with numerous names being floated as potential candidates, but very little has ultimately been unveiled as far as potential leaders in the clubhouse – with further updates coming on Thursday.
Recent Updates in Search for HC
ESPN’s Jeff Borzello gave a brief update surrounding where the search is headed, with two candidates of interest not being ruled out at this stage.
“Intel has been hard to come by for this search. Creighton’s Greg McDermott does not appear to be a legitimate candidate at this point, but it’s too early to rule out Saint Mary’s head coach Randy Bennett or New Mexico’s Eric Olen. UC Santa Barbara assistant — and former Arizona State guard — Derek Glasser continues to come up in conversations with sources, and he met with the school earlier this week.”
McDermott being crossed off as a potential candidate isn’t shocking in the slightest, as insiders John Gambadoro and Chris Karpman both shut down the possibility within the last week.
Meanwhile, Olen remains a major candidate of interest, but New Mexico’s season continues to rage on in the NIT. It would be unlikely that AD Graham Rossini will be able to have a serious discussion with the former UC San Diego head coach until the Lobos are eliminated.
Portland State HC Jase Coburn and Glasser remain candidates to keep an eye on, as either would carry promise – even if neither are at the top of the wishlist for the fanbase…