Editor's note: This story was updated on Thursday, April 13, 2023, at 8:30 a.m. to include proposed salary increase changes part of Hurley's two year extension that is still subject to approval.
ASU men's basketball coach Bobby Hurley has agreed to a two-year contract extension that will expire after the 2025-26 season. His $2.6 million salary may increase by $200,000 on July 1 and an additional $100,000 every July 1 through the end of the contract if it is approved, according to reporting from The Athletic.
The announcement made on March 21 to extend Hurley's contract described it as a "significant move to reaffirm Arizona State University's commitment to the Sun Devil Men's Basketball program."
"Coach Hurley has made our program relevant nationally with many significant wins and an exciting style, along with a firm commitment to the academic success of our student-athletes," said ASU Vice President of Athletics Ray Anderson in a press release. "He has made it clear to us that he wants to be here, and we have done likewise with him. We share strong confidence in the present and future state of Sun Devil Men's Basketball."
The extension and subsequent salary increases are subject to approval by the Arizona Board of Regents at a meeting on April 20. Changes come after the team made their third NCAA Tournament appearance during Hurley's six-year tenure. His salary will increase based on performance in the NCAA Tournament though the proposed changes also include lowered buyouts if Hurley breaks the contract.
READ MORE: Herm Edward to take 50% buyout of remaining salary, plus benefits and academic bonus
"It's an honor to continue my journey as the head basketball coach at Arizona State University," Hurley said in the release. "I want to thank (University President) Dr. (Michael) Crow and Ray Anderson for their commitment to our program and trust in my leadership."
Hurley's future as ASU's coach was in question after a midseason stretch in late January and early February. The team lost five of six games, and their NCAA Tournament hopes seemed in serious jeopardy.
After a last-second win against Arizona in Tucson late in the regular season and a Pac-12 Conference Tournament run that included a win over three-seed USC, ASU was selected for the NCAA Tournament's First Four in Dayton. There, they beat Nevada to advance to the Round of 64, where they lost to TCU in the final seconds.
READ MORE: Last-second, game-winning floater by TCU ends ASU's men's basketball season
Hurley was hired in 2015 and has guided the program through a turbulent time for college athletics, including the COVID-19 pandemic shortened basketball season and rule changes regarding the NCAA's transfer policy as well as name, image and likeness regulations.
READ MORE: ASU men's basketball players debut new 'NIL club' ahead of critical end-of-season stretch
His contract was previously extended in June 2019 when he signed a two-year deal that lasted through June 2024. The 2023-24 season would have been the last on the previous contract before the extension.
At the time, Hurley had an annual base salary of $2.1 million with $100,000 raises set to begin each year from 2019 until 2023. According to The State Press salary database, Hurley was paid $2.5 million in 2021.
According to ESPN, Hurley is expected to make $3.3 million next year under the new contract.
Despite calls by some for the two to part ways and speculation throughout his tenure that Hurley may look for jobs elsewhere, the extension signals a mutual commitment between Hurley and ASU athletics.
"I love it here," Hurley said on the Bickley & Marotta Mornings radio show on Feb. 21. "I've had two kids go to ASU. I feel like Arizona feels like home to me even though I'm from the East Coast. I've built a life out here."
Hurley's son, Bobby Hurley Jr., is a sophomore guard for ASU.
Hurley will now turn toward next season, where he will need to rebuild much of the team with the departures of graduating seniors Desmond Cambridge Jr. and Luther Muhammad, as well as Enoch Boakye's decision to enter the transfer portal early Tuesday.
Edited by Walker Smith, Piper Hansen and Reagan Priest.
Reach the reporter at awakefi3@asu.edu and follow @_alexwakefield on Twitter.
Like The State Press on Facebook and follow @statepress on Twitter.
