Photo by: Saint Mary's Athletics / Ryan Watamura
MBB | Saint Mary’s Thanks Head Coach Randy Bennett After 25 Years; Bennett Leaving To Take Arizona State Head Coach Position
3/23/2026 2:30:00 PM | Men's Basketball
MORAGA, Calif. - Saint Mary's College head men's basketball coach Randy Bennett announced on Monday that he is stepping down and will be taking the head coach position at Arizona State. Saint Mary's thanks Coach Bennett for an unbelievable 25-year run, and setting up the program for the future.
Bennett leaves as the winningest coach in program history, leading the Gaels to 12 NCAA appearances, including five-straight and 18 straight postseason appearances overall, only one of four teams in the nation to accomplish that streak.
"This was a difficult decision after calling Saint Mary's home for so long and building this program into a national contender each year," Bennett said. "I will be forever grateful for the opportunity to lead Saint Mary's and for all the special people in this community I've been able to work with over the years. This was truly my home away from home for so long and I will miss this place."
Bennett was named WCC Coach of the Year seven times in his career, and finished with a 589-228 (.721) record at Saint Mary's. Bennett led the Gaels to a WCC title for the fourth-straight year in 2026.
"We can't thank Randy enough for everything he has done for this program and the College," Vice President for Intercollegiate Athletics Mike Matoso said. "He will be missed as a leader and coach, and has left us with a lasting legacy of excellence. Randy's influence as the architect of building Saint Mary's Basketball onto the national stage has provided an incredible foundation for on-going success."
"Today marks the close of a remarkable chapter in the history of Saint Mary's College. For 25 years, Coach Randy Bennett has been far more than a head coach. He has been a builder, a mentor, and one of the most visible and influential representatives of Saint Mary's. Through his leadership, Saint Mary's Men's Basketball has grown into a nationally respected program—one grounded not only in competitive excellence, but in integrity, discipline, and team-first values that reflect the very best of who we are as a College," Saint Mary's College President Roger Thompson said. "Generations of Gaels—students, alumni, families, and fans alike—have rallied around what Coach Bennett built here. His impact can be measured in championships and postseason appearances, but even more enduring is the culture he established and the young men he guided. He leaves Saint Mary's with a program that is strong, stable, and deeply respected—something our entire community can take great pride in."
Under Bennett, the Gaels held the highest winning percentage (.774) and tied for the most NCAA Tournament appearances (7) of any NCAA Division I men's basketball program in the state of California since the 2015-16 season. Saint Mary's currently has the fourth best win percentage (.774) of any NCAA Division I team in the nation since 2015-16.
Saint Mary's will announce its next head coach later today.
Bennett leaves as the winningest coach in program history, leading the Gaels to 12 NCAA appearances, including five-straight and 18 straight postseason appearances overall, only one of four teams in the nation to accomplish that streak.
"This was a difficult decision after calling Saint Mary's home for so long and building this program into a national contender each year," Bennett said. "I will be forever grateful for the opportunity to lead Saint Mary's and for all the special people in this community I've been able to work with over the years. This was truly my home away from home for so long and I will miss this place."
Bennett was named WCC Coach of the Year seven times in his career, and finished with a 589-228 (.721) record at Saint Mary's. Bennett led the Gaels to a WCC title for the fourth-straight year in 2026.
"We can't thank Randy enough for everything he has done for this program and the College," Vice President for Intercollegiate Athletics Mike Matoso said. "He will be missed as a leader and coach, and has left us with a lasting legacy of excellence. Randy's influence as the architect of building Saint Mary's Basketball onto the national stage has provided an incredible foundation for on-going success."
"Today marks the close of a remarkable chapter in the history of Saint Mary's College. For 25 years, Coach Randy Bennett has been far more than a head coach. He has been a builder, a mentor, and one of the most visible and influential representatives of Saint Mary's. Through his leadership, Saint Mary's Men's Basketball has grown into a nationally respected program—one grounded not only in competitive excellence, but in integrity, discipline, and team-first values that reflect the very best of who we are as a College," Saint Mary's College President Roger Thompson said. "Generations of Gaels—students, alumni, families, and fans alike—have rallied around what Coach Bennett built here. His impact can be measured in championships and postseason appearances, but even more enduring is the culture he established and the young men he guided. He leaves Saint Mary's with a program that is strong, stable, and deeply respected—something our entire community can take great pride in."
Under Bennett, the Gaels held the highest winning percentage (.774) and tied for the most NCAA Tournament appearances (7) of any NCAA Division I men's basketball program in the state of California since the 2015-16 season. Saint Mary's currently has the fourth best win percentage (.774) of any NCAA Division I team in the nation since 2015-16.
Saint Mary's will announce its next head coach later today.
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