Back-To-Back Duke Champ Among Names to Watch for DePaul Job

Originally posted on FanNation Blue Devil Country
By Matt Giles | Last updated 1/23/24

Several insiders have hinted that Bobby Hurley, in his ninth year at Arizona State, might not be the head coach of the Sun Devils beyond this season. Recent back-to-back losses to Washington and UCLA, both under .500 in Pac-12 play, added to the legendary Duke basketball floor general's frustrations.

Even so, Hurley, a back-to-back national champion as the starting point guard for the 1990-91 and 1991-92 Blue Devils, boasts a respectable 194-140 overall record and four NCAA Tournament appearances between his 11 seasons as a head coach (two years at Buffalo before leading the Sun Devils).

And like his younger brother in UConn head coach and defending national champion Dan Hurley, Bobby Hurley is a notably fiery leader with a lifelong passion for the game as the son of now-retired Hall of Fame New Jersey high school head coach Bob Hurley Sr.

Speaking of his New Jersey roots, not to mention his brilliant Duke basketball career under Mike Krzyzewski as the NCAA's all-time assists leader (1,076) and successful brief stint running the show at Buffalo, Bobby Hurley's move out West to Arizona State has never felt like an ideal fit.

With all of the above in mind, it's no wonder that college hoops insider "Trilly Donovan" listed Hurley among five head coaches "expected to make the rounds at DePaul" following Monday's announced firing of Tony Stubblefield, whose Blue Demons compiled a 3-15 record in what was his third season at the helm.

Perhaps the university in Chicago will be the 52-year-old Hurley's next landing spot. Then again, there's no official report of mutual interest between him and the Blue Demons yet.

The other potential DePaul candidates that "Trilly Donovan" mentioned are Indiana State's Josh Schertz, Grand Canyon's Bryce Drew, Southern Illinois' Bryan Mullins, and McNeese State's Will Wade.

Interestingly, Illinois native Jon Scheyer, now in his second season as Duke basketball head coach following Krzyzewski's retirement, interviewed for the DePaul job in 2021 and was reportedly disappointed that the Blue Demons didn't hire him. Two months later, Coach K named the 2010 national champion his successor in Durham.

Funny how things work out sometimes.

This article first appeared on FanNation Blue Devil Country and was syndicated with permission.

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