April 16, 1998
TEMPE, Ariz. --The Arizona State University men's basketball program has appointed Tony Benford as an assistant coach, Sun Devil Head Coach Rob Evans announced today.
"Tony has been a part of one of the nation's most successful programs the past six seasons and has been involved with many NCAA Tournament teams. His experiences in recruiting and his knowledge of the western part of the country are extremely important," says Evans. "The New Mexico roster was full of players from various parts of the country, and Tony can help us expand our recruiting base."
Benford, 34, spent the past six seasons at the University of New Mexico under Dave Bliss, as the Lobos advanced to the NCAA Tournament five times (1993, 1994, 1996, 1997 and 1998), won the Western Athletic Conference (WAC) Tournament twice (1993 and 1996) and also won the regular season WAC title in 1994. New Mexico's overall record in that time was 139-51 (.732). New Mexico's 1997-98 preseason roster included players from six states (Arizona, California, New Mexico, Texas, Colorado and New York), as Benford's recruiting efforts played a huge part in the Lobo's success.
Benford played at Texas Tech and helped lead the Red Raiders to the Southwest Conference title in 1985 and consecutive SWC tournament titles in 1985 and 1986, when Rob Evans was an assistant with Texas Tech. Benford was an all-league pick in his senior year and MVP of the 1986 SWC Tournament. He is a 1986 graduate of Texas Tech with a major in physical education and a minor in health. He attended high school in Hobbs, N.M., and was the 1982 New Mexico Player of the Year and a Converse High School All-American.
Benford was drafted by the Boston Celtics in 1986 and also had a tryout with the Chicago Bulls that year. He played professionally in Holland during in 1986-87 and then returned to Lubbock where he coached at All Saints Episcopal School. He was a volunteer assistant at Lubbock Christian University before coming to UNM.
Benford and his wife, Deborah, a 1981 graduate of Cibola High School in Albuquerque, N.M., have a daughter, Audriana and a son, Tony Jr. Born March 22, 1964, Benford is involved with the National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC), the Black Coaches Association (BCA) and Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA).