Arizona State's Coaching Staff Shaping Up Around Randy Bennett

Arizona State Hires Three Assistants

Chris Karpman of SunDevilSource reported on Monday morning that Bennett is set to bring on a duo of coaches, while also targeting another one that hold significant familiarity with the head coach.

"Randy Bennett's staff will include former D1 HC Rick Croy and SMC AHC Joe Rahon. Another former D1 HC, David Patrick, is a Bennett target. Patrick's LSU contract would require a buyout, despite a coaching change at the school."

Croy is slated to leave his post at Cal Baptist after 13 seasons in the post, as was reported last night. The 48-year old aided in the school's transition from division two into division one, and led the Lancers to their first NCAA tournament appearance this March. He will also get to coach his son JRob - who flipped from St. Mary's to Arizona State last Tuesday.

The hiring of Rahon isn't entirely shocking, as Bennett's former player/assistant at St. Mary's was on the plane that landed in Phoenix last week and always seemed to be joining the staff.

Patrick is perhaps the most intriguing name of the bunch, as his hiring would require a buyout payment to LSU despite Matt McMahaon being fired in recent days. Patrick - who grew up in Australia - served as an assistant to Bennett from 2006-2010, was the head coach at Sacramento State for two seasons, and has served as an assistant to other decorated coaches which have included names such as Eric Musselman.

The most intriguing premise of potentially bringing Patrick on lies in the 50-year old's ties to Austalia. He was heavily credited with connecting to players from the country that came to St. Mary's during those years - most famously Patty Mills, who went on to have an incredibly successful NBA career. If Bennett is able to secure Patrick, there would seem to be even more momentum building in the Sun Devils' favor to retain international stars in Noah Meeusen and Massamba Diop for next season.