TEMPE, Ariz. -- Rob Evans said he was tempted by the head coaching job at New Mexico, but decided to stick with the unfinished business of building a winning basketball program at Arizona State.

"The bottom line is that my current team, the kids we recruited and Arizona State people and fans, are very important to me," Evans said on Friday. "We want to put Arizona State back on the basketball map."

Arizona State athletic director Gene Smith issued a statement in which he said New Mexico had offered Evans the job.

"Rob told me that he would give them an answer within 24 hours, and he did that," Smith said. "We're glad that Rob is staying. We are confident in his leadership and we are excited about the future."

Evans, 55, is 60-60 in four years with the Sun Devils, who were 14-15 last season and lost in the first round of the NIT.

Born and raised in Hobbs, N.M., and a graduate of New Mexico State, Evans reportedly would have received a considerable pay raise if he took the New Mexico job. Also, the Lobos' fan base is big and enthusiastic, while at Arizona State the crowds often are small in a highly competitive sports market.

Evans has three years left on a contract that pays him about $500,000 per season.

"After thinking it over with my wife and several others, I know Arizona State remains my focus," Evans said. "We have achieved several of our goals already and several more will occur soon."

Evans has signed two top high school recruits, 6-foot-9 Ike Diogu of Garland, Texas, and 6-6 forward Serge Angounou of Albuquerque. The Arizona Republic reported that Arizona State and Kansas are the two schools being considered by 6-6 junior college standout Jamal Hill.

Evans said that recruiting was difficult at first at Arizona State "because of some of the negative things of the past."

"Now we are in a position to attract top-25 players because of the enhanced facilities, the positive role models we have on our team and the emphasis we have showed towards academics," Evans said. "The players on the way now can take us to great heights."