After a 25-year legacy at Saint Mary's, Randy Bennett is finally coming home—and he's calling it his "dream job." The 63-year-old coach was officially introduced as the next head coach at Arizona State, his hometown school and the only program that could convince him to leave the Gaels. But the celebration didn't go exactly as planned.

Bennett was hired on March 23, but a sudden health issue landed him in the hospital shortly after arriving in Phoenix. It pushed his introductory press conference back by five weeks.

"Sorry about the pump fake on the first one," Bennett joked. "I should do much better on this one."

For years, Bennett turned down offers from bigger programs, content with his family and basketball life at Saint Mary's. But when Arizona State came calling after Bobby Hurley's firing, the pull was too strong. Growing up in the Phoenix area and watching the Sun Devils in their prime, this was the one job he couldn't refuse.

After a 10-day hospital stay and recovery for an undisclosed medical issue, Bennett is back on his feet and fully engaged.

"Thank God for Mayo Clinic," he said. "I don't know where I'd be without them. It threw me off a bit, but the last thing I needed to be doing was stressing out about the portal or the job. Now I'm catching my stride, working longer days. We've gotten a lot done in five weeks. I feel good."

Since returning, Bennett has moved quickly. He's filled out his coaching staff and assembled a 12-player roster, highlighted by a transfer portal class ranked No. 1 in the Big 12 by the 247 Sports composite. Key additions include versatile forward Paulius Murauskas, who followed Bennett from Saint Mary's after averaging 18.4 points per game, and former Gaels guard Dillan Shaw. Portland guard Joel Foxwell, Boston University forward Ben Defty, and Gonzaga forward Emmanuel Innocenti have also joined the Sun Devils.

Bennett still needs to add two more players to round out the roster, but he likes the foundation he's building. For a coach who waited a lifetime for this opportunity, the wait—and the scare—was well worth it.