What Happened to Bobby Hurley?
Bobby Hurley is an American college basketball coach and former professional player, renowned for his storied playing career at Duke University where he won two NCAA championships and became the all-time NCAA assists leader. After a five-year NBA career cut short by a severe car accident, he transitioned to coaching, eventually becoming the head coach of the Arizona State Sun Devils in 2015. As of March 2026, Hurley's tenure at Arizona State is expected to conclude at the end of the 2025-2026 season, with the university reportedly planning to part ways with him.
Quick Answer
Bobby Hurley is currently the head coach of the Arizona State Sun Devils men's basketball team. However, his contract is set to expire in June 2026, and multiple reports indicate that Arizona State is expected to part ways with him following the conclusion of the 2025-2026 season, likely after the Big 12 Tournament. He has coached the Sun Devils for 11 seasons, leading them to three NCAA Tournament appearances but without a tournament win.
📊Key Facts
📅Complete Timeline15 events
Born in Jersey City, New Jersey
Robert Matthew Hurley was born in Jersey City, New Jersey, into a prominent basketball family, son of legendary high school coach Bob Hurley Sr.
Begins Collegiate Career at Duke University
Bobby Hurley enrolls at Duke University, beginning his illustrious four-year career as a point guard for the Blue Devils.
Wins First NCAA National Championship
Hurley leads the Duke Blue Devils to their first NCAA National Championship, defeating Kansas in the final.
Wins Second NCAA National Championship and Final Four MOP
Duke, with Hurley at the helm, wins its second consecutive NCAA National Championship, and Hurley is named the Final Four Most Outstanding Player.
Becomes NCAA All-Time Assists Leader and Drafted by NBA
Hurley concludes his Duke career as the NCAA's all-time assists leader with 1,076 and has his No. 11 jersey retired. He is then drafted 7th overall by the Sacramento Kings in the NBA Draft.
Suffers Life-Threatening Car Accident
In his rookie NBA season, Hurley is involved in a severe car accident that causes life-threatening injuries, significantly impacting his playing career.
Waived by Vancouver Grizzlies, Ends NBA Playing Career
After playing for the Sacramento Kings and Vancouver Grizzlies, Hurley is waived by the Grizzlies, effectively ending his NBA playing career.
Begins Coaching Career as Philadelphia 76ers Scout
Hurley transitions into coaching, taking a role as a scout for the Philadelphia 76ers.
Named Head Coach at University at Buffalo
After assistant coaching stints at Wagner and Rhode Island, Hurley is named the head coach of the University at Buffalo men's basketball team.
Leads Buffalo to First NCAA Tournament Appearance
Hurley coaches the Buffalo Bulls to their first-ever NCAA Tournament appearance, winning the MAC tournament.
Hired as Head Coach at Arizona State University
Bobby Hurley is announced as the 14th men's head coach for the Arizona State Sun Devils basketball program.
Leads ASU to First NCAA Tournament Under His Tenure
Hurley guides Arizona State to its first NCAA Tournament appearance under his leadership, marking a resurgence for the program.
Leads ASU to Third NCAA Tournament Appearance
Bobby Hurley takes the Arizona State Sun Devils to their third NCAA Tournament appearance during his coaching tenure.
Reports Emerge of Arizona State Parting Ways
Multiple reports, including from The Field of 68 and On3, indicate that Arizona State is expected to 'part ways' with Bobby Hurley following the conclusion of the 2025-2026 season, as his contract expires in June.
Current Status: Head Coach of Arizona State Sun Devils
As of today, Bobby Hurley remains the head coach of the Arizona State Sun Devils, with his team participating in the Big 12 Tournament. His future with the program beyond the current season is widely reported to be ending.
🔍Deep Dive Analysis
Bobby Hurley's journey in basketball began as a highly touted point guard, leading St. Anthony High School to four consecutive state titles under his legendary father, Bob Hurley Sr.. He then matriculated to Duke University, where he became one of the most iconic figures in college basketball history. From 1989 to 1993, Hurley guided the Blue Devils to three Final Four appearances and back-to-back NCAA national championships in 1991 and 1992, earning Final Four Most Outstanding Player honors in 1992. He remains the NCAA's all-time leader in assists with 1,076, and his No. 11 jersey was retired by Duke in 1993.
Drafted seventh overall by the Sacramento Kings in the 1993 NBA Draft, Hurley's professional playing career was tragically altered by a severe car accident in December 1993, just months into his rookie season. He suffered life-threatening injuries after being ejected from his vehicle. Despite a courageous return, he played five seasons in the NBA for the Kings and Vancouver Grizzlies, averaging 3.8 points and 3.3 assists in 269 regular-season games, but never fully recaptured his pre-injury form.
After retiring from playing, Hurley ventured into thoroughbred horse racing before returning to basketball as a scout for the Philadelphia 76ers in 2003. His coaching career officially began in 2010 as an assistant under his brother, Dan Hurley, at Wagner College. He then served as associate head coach at Rhode Island before taking his first head coaching role at the University at Buffalo in 2013. At Buffalo, he quickly found success, leading the Bulls to their first NCAA Tournament appearance in 2015 and winning back-to-back Mid-American Conference regular-season and tournament titles.
In April 2015, Hurley was hired as the head coach of the Arizona State Sun Devils. Over his 11 seasons in Tempe, he compiled a record of 184-166 (.526), becoming the second-winningest coach in program history behind Ned Wulk. He led the Sun Devils to three NCAA Tournament appearances (2018, 2019, and 2023) and achieved four 20-win seasons. Notable victories during his tenure include upsets over top-ranked Kansas.
However, as of March 2026, Hurley's time at Arizona State is drawing to a close. His contract is set to expire in June 2026, and reports from early March 2026 indicated that the university is expected to 'part ways' with him after the current season concludes. The Sun Devils finished the 2025-2026 regular season with a 16-15 record (7-11 in the Big 12) and were set to enter the Big 12 Tournament as a 12-seed. While there was some speculation that a deep tournament run could alter his fate, the general expectation is that his tenure will end.
What If...?
Explore alternate histories. What if Bobby Hurley made different choices?