Arizona State interim head coach Tim Esmay has filled out his staff, hiring former Washington coach Ken Knutson as pitching coach and former ASU and big league infielder Mike Benjamin as volunteer assistant.

Knutson was fired by Washington after the 2009 season and was hired by former Sun Devils coach Pat Murphy as a volunteer assistant last summer. He was officially named full-time pitching coach on Friday, though the Arizona Republic reported three weeks ago that Knutson and Benjamin would join Travis Jewett on Esmay's staff. In 17 seasons as Washington's head coach, Knutson became the school's all-time leader in victories.

Benjamin and Esmay made up Arizona State's middle infield in 1986, and Esmay joined Jim Brock's staff as an assistant coach during Benjamin's final season at ASU in 1987. Benjamin went on to play 13 years in the majors with the Giants, Phillies, Red Sox and Pirates.

“We are very excited for Mike Benjamin to come back and once again be a part of the ASU baseball program,” Esmay said. “Mike was a student-athlete at Arizona State, went on to have a successful pro career, and now he is looking forward to returning to ASU and help continue the winning tradition.”