Arizona State adds Cal Baptist head coach Rick Croy as associate head coach under Randy Bennett

TEMPE, Ariz. (AP) — Arizona State has hired Cal Baptist head coach Rick Croy as part of new coach Randy Bennett’s staff.

Croy and Joe Rahon, part of Bennett’s staff at Saint Mary’s, will serve as associate head coaches, the school announced on Monday.

Croy spent the past 13 years as Cal Baptist’s head coach, leading the Lancers to a school-record 25 wins this season, their first Western Athletic Conference tournament title and a No. 13 seed in the NCAA Tournament. He previously spent three seasons as an assistant to Bennett at Saint Mary’s.

“What I want people to know is that nothing about our momentum has changed,” Bennett said in a statement. “We are moving forward and I am excited to announce two of our associate head coaches, a duo I have a ton of trust in and who truly want to be at ASU. They both bring great experience, strong relationships, and real energy as our program continues to grow.”

Bennett was hired on March 23 to replace Bobby Hurley, who was fired after 11 seasons. Bennett coached Saint Mary’s for 25 years and repeatedly turned down opportunities at larger schools, but the opportunity to coach near where he grew up was too much to pass up.

Bennett had to reschedule his introductory news conference due to an undisclosed medical issue, but is recovering.

“I’m in good hands, we feel good about the plan and I’m incredibly appreciative of the care I’ve received from the team at Mayo Clinic,” he said. “Everything is under control, and I will be back at full strength very soon.”

Croy guided Cal Baptist through its transition to Division I and the Lancers won an NCAA-record 37 games their first two seasons at that level. He spent three seasons as the lead assistant under Bennett at Saint Mary’s from 2010-13.

Rahon played under Bennett for two seasons and started his coaching career as a graduate assistant for the Gaels. He coached at Saint Mary’s for five seasons, the last as associate head coach.

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