Story Courtesy: Connor Smith, ASU Athletics
The addition of another key member of Randy Bennett’s first Sun Devil Men’s Basketball coaching staff was officially announced on Wednesday.
EJ Rowland will be joining the program as an Assistant Coach, as Bennett continues to build a staff with some of the sport’s top recruiters and brightest minds.
“We are thrilled to have Coach Rowland joining the coaching staff,” Coach Bennett remarked. “He is one of the rising stars in the profession and I can’t wait to continue working with him. Whether it was as a player or an assistant coach, EJ has always demonstrated the leadership qualities necessary to make a great coach. He has established connections throughout the sport all over the World. He will be a tremendous fit at Arizona State.”
Rowland joins Rick Croy, Joe Rahon, and David Patrick, who were revealed as Associate Head Coaches by Bennett earlier in the offseason. All four have previously worked with Coach Bennett, providing valuable continuity during a transitional phase of the program.
“I am grateful for the opportunity to join the coaching staff at Arizona State. The chance to continue learning from Coach Bennett and be a part of a program on the rise was one I couldn’t pass up. I am looking forward to working with an elite staff and building something special in Tempe.” – EJ Rowland
Rowland is joining the program after spending the past two seasons in the same role at Saint Mary’s. There he worked alongside Coach Bennett and Coach Rahon, continuing the Gaels’ tradition of excellence on and off the court. During Rowland’s two seasons with the Gaels, the program combined to go 56-12 (.824) overall with a 33-3 (.917) record in the WCC.
Over the past two seasons with Rowland on staff, Saint Mary’s won at least a share of the WCC Regular Season Championship and made two NCAA Tournament appearances. Rowland was instrumental in the development of WCC All-Conference guards Joshua Dent and Mikey Lewis last season, while also playing a role in the emergence of NABC First Team Pacific All-District selection and future Sun Devil Paulius Murauskas. Freshman guard Dillan Shaw established himself as one of the premier newcomers in the league, earning All-Freshman team distinction under Rowland’s tutelage. Rowland worked closely in his first season on staff with star guard Augustas Marciulionis, who secured his second-consecutive WCC Player of the Year award in 2025 thanks to a brilliant senior season.
Rowland is no stranger to the expectations of a Coach Bennett program, having played for him representing the Gaels for two seasons (2003-05). He started at point guard both years in Moraga, helping Saint Mary’s to a 25-9 record and an NCAA Tournament berth (the first in Bennett’s tenure) in 2005. During his time with the Gaels, Rowland appeared in 63 games, starting 57. He averaged 12.1 points, 3.8 rebounds and 4.1 assists per contest, while shooting 42% from the field.
Prior to the start of his coaching career at Saint Mary’s, Rowland enjoyed a successful professional career that spanned over 20 years. He made stops on four different continents (North America, Australia, Europe and Asia), accumulating knowledge, building relationships, and gaining valuable experience along the way.
Rowland won multiple championships and individual awards over the span of his career. Most notably, in 2013 while playing for VEF Riga. That season, Rowland was named MVP of the VTB league after leading the league in scoring and finishing in the top 10 in assists, rebounds, steals and total valuation. He also was Player of the Year in the Latvian league after leading them to a league title and MVP of the Finals.
On the International stage, Rowland represented Bulgaria, starting at point guard in two separate FIBA EuroBasket Tournaments. He most recently played professionally for JL Bourg in the LNB Elite, the top league in France, leading them to the Eurocup Final.
In 2019, Rowland was inducted into the VTB United League Hall of Fame as part of the inaugural class alongside legendary figures Andrei Kirilenko, Milos Teodosic, and Victor Khryapa. He also recently got the nod to be inducted into both the Salinas Valley Sports and Palma High School Hall of Fames.
Rowland will be joined in Tempe by his wife, Brittney, and their son Mathieu.
