8:05 a.m.
First team meeting, Weatherup Center
The 14th head men’s basketball coach in school history, Bobby Hurley, walks into Weatherup Center for the first time with his dad, Bob, Sr., and his son, Bobby. ASU’s newest assistant coach Levi Watkins, who spent the past two seasons with Coach Hurley in Buffalo, accompanies him, along with Sun Devil Athletics Senior Associate Athletics Directors Dave Cohen, Scottie Graham and Rocky Harris.
Coach Hurley enters the film room and meets his new team, the next crop of student-athletes he’s tasked with mentoring, for the first time. He begins by telling the team he knows transitions like these can be tough, but he makes sure to emphasize how excited he is to join the Sun Devil Family. He introduces his dad, hall of fame high school coach Bob Hurley Sr., his son Bobby, “who acts like an assistant coach,” and Coach Waktins.
Dressed in a striped maroon and gold tie, he recalls his high school career and how more than 15 years, things have seemed to come full circle since his four consecutive Parochial B state titles in Jersey City.
“The colors I wore when I played for my dad at St. Anthony were maroon and gold, so it feels good to be back in my colors,” Hurley said.
Coach Hurley tells the team they had a great season, that reaching any postseason tournament is an accomplishment, before he begins to discuss his philosophy. He says that their college experience will fly by and it’s his responsibility to create great moments and memories for them. He says his sights are set on winning Pac-12 Championships, going to the Final Four and taking down the Team Down South. He says he’s usually fired up while coaching, “but that I also want to be the coach that you need. If things are getting wild and you need me to be chill, I can be chill.”
The team teaches Coach Hurley how to throw the pitchfork after the meeting and they leave with a handshake for the coaches and a high-five for Coach Hurley, who catches junior guard Gerry Blakes before he leaves and says, “You excited or what?” He is.
Coach Hurley embarks on a tour of Sun Devil Sports Performance and meets Sports Performance Associate Head Coach Rich Wenner and gets the full tour of Weatherup Center, from the team locker room to his new office, before heading out to his next stop.
9 a.m.
Pre-press conference meeting, Ray Anderson's office
No trip to the Carson Student-Athlete Center would be complete without first a quick stop at Sparky’s Shop to check out some Sun Devil gear. Coach Hurley then makes his way to Athletics Director Ray Anderson’s office to meet with members of the senior staff and the media relations department, before he completes his first order of business: signing his contract to become an official Arizona State Sun Devil. The group discusses the day’s schedule and preps for the press conference as Hurley jokes, “I just went to the NCAA Tournament. I’m used to talking to the media.”
It’s apparent Coach Hurley is thrilled to be here and it seems the excitement was quick to spread. He’s told that as soon as the announcement was made, Head Football Coach Todd Graham wanted his number so he could call and welcome him to the family.
President Michael Crow enters Anderson’s office and is quick to notice Hurley’s tie is not the one he gave him yesterday, “You went with a different tie! I notice everything.” Hurley laughs it off as being too narrow for his taste. It’s clear that Hurley will pave his own path as a Sun Devil.
10 a.m.
Introductory press conference, Dutson Theater
Ray Anderson and Dr. Crow lead Coach Hurley into a packed Dutson Theater for his public appearance in the Valley of the Sun. Sun Devil Athletics staff members are overheard commenting that they have never seen a press conference so full. Coach Hurley expresses his excitement, “This is a great day in my life. I feel like I’ve finally arrived at big-time place where I can compete at a higher level.” He spoke of his fast-paced style of play, which will fit freshman PG Tra Holder very well. Hurley explains how much he values a strong defense as Coach Graham smiles from his seat. Beating Arizona and learning about the Curtain of Distraction from a “higher level” are among the many topics he covers while fielding media questions. Dr. Crow throws some heat at a reporter from the Daily Star, telling Hurley, “They’re from Tucson…ask him how it’s gone lately,” referencing ASU winning nine of the past 17 meetings. If Hurley didn’t know the extent of the rivalry, he does now.
11 a.m.
Third floor, Carson Student-Athlete Center
As Coach Hurley meets the 942 Crew, student-athletes Gerry Blakes, Savon Goodman, Roosevelt Scott and Willie Atwood film welcome messages for their new coach. They joke around trying to come up with the best message. Someone suggests “Once a Devil, always a Devil!” but the group decides on a no-fail “Welcome Coach Hurley! Let’s get this going! Forks Up!”
Head women’s basketball Coach Charli Turner Thorne steps away from giving a tour to film a welcome message of her own. As soon as she walks in the room, the guys stop joking around. They speak a little softer and stand up a little straighter as she gives each guy a hug and a word of encouragement. The guys answer with encouragement of their own. Atwood, a junior, tells Coach Turner Thorne, “We want to go far like y’all” and Blakes adds, “We’re trying to follow you guys.” We have a feeling they will. Fans seldom get to see the sweet moments like these that happen often around Sun Devil Athletics and embody the camaraderie between the teams. It really is a Sun Devil Family.
Coach Hurley and Coach Turner Thorne meet for the first time and it seems like a basketball powerhouse is brewing. Between a Sweet 16 run for one program and a dynamic new coach for the other, next season is going to be a fun time to be a Sun Devil Basketball fan.
11:30 a.m.
Hobbs Family Stadium Club, Carson Student-Athlete Center
Coach Hurley makes his way to the Hobbs Family Stadium Cub to meet an eager group of Sun Devil supporters. Selfies, smiles and handshakes abound as he greets ASU grads, fans and former players. Long-time supporters ask Coach Hurley about his playing career and share Sun Devil stories of their own. Meanwhile, the Sun Devil Club Young Professionals group is quick to ask for photos and tell coach they follow him on Twitter. Men’s Basketball alum Kyle Dodd, who played from 1999-2003 with the likes of Eddie House and Ike Diogu, is the team’s curren radio color commentator and has high praise for Coach Hurley’s entrance. He’s overheard saying, “I haven’t seen this much excitement around the basketball program the entire time I’ve been here.” One thing is for certain -- Sun Devils are happy to call Bobby Hurley one of us. Welcome to the Sun Devil family, Coach! Onward and upward.
The Sun Devil Football Spring Game awaits Coach Hurley...
