I think it's the perfect time to make the switch.

On the ASU side, a program that has had some success, though volatile at best. Arena is a bit showing wear and age, but fine. Not the ultra pressure cooker environment of say Kentucky. But ASU is all in for multiple sports, but definitely with football and a $100 million facility coming, bye bye practice bubble. They have had a basketball practice facility for over 15 years that is great. He'll lineup a staff easily, probably bring his best players with him, and get a jump start to be competitive in the Big XII. Plus, he gets the prodigal son returning home narrative. If he succeeds, great! If not, he moved home.

St. Mary's paid him well, 18 years straight of postseason NCAA or NIT. A loyal donor base, but what else could he expect to do there? Too many resources strip teams like his of players. Tapping overseas talent no longer is sustainable, as they will leave SM after they do all the legwork. Building a new arena would do nothing in Moraga, which is a small community almost fully removed from reality of Bay Area. It might as well be in Eureka. Gonzaga has left, so now you lose your best opportunity at a Quad 1 win. His extension was set to expire in 2027, he probably was in negotiations and saw the writing on the wall. SM has already promoted from within.