Josh Pastner is set to become the new head coach for the UNLV men’s basketball team, succeeding Kevin Kruger, who was dismissed after four seasons without an NCAA Tournament appearance. Pastner, aged 47, brings a wealth of experience from his previous coaching roles at Memphis and Georgia Tech, with a career record of 276-187 over 14 seasons. He led teams to five NCAA Tournaments and two National Invitation Tournaments, achieving a runner-up finish in 2017.
Kruger, 41, ended his tenure at UNLV with a 76-55 record. The team has not seen NCAA Tournament action since 2013. Initially, Bryan Hodgson, the Arkansas State coach, was in discussions for the UNLV position, but he opted for a six-year contract with South Florida instead. Following this, UNLV shifted focus to Pastner, who is anticipated to sign a five-year deal.
Pastner’s coaching journey began as an assistant at Arizona, where he was part of the 1997 national championship team. He later joined Memphis as an assistant and recruiting coordinator under John Calipari. Known for his strong recruiting skills, Pastner took over as Memphis head coach in 2009, achieving a 167-73 record and leading the team to four NCAA Tournaments in seven seasons.
His tenure at Georgia Tech from 2016 to 2023 was less successful, with a 109-114 record and only one NCAA Tournament appearance. Despite these challenges, he is praised by Jim Livengood, a former Arizona and UNLV athletic director, as a fitting choice for UNLV, highlighting the alignment of timing and opportunity for both Pastner and the university.
Since leaving Georgia Tech, Pastner has worked as a college basketball analyst for major networks. His deep-rooted involvement in basketball, influenced by his father Hal, a renowned AAU coach, and his early engagement with scouting and coaching, underscores his passion for the sport.
UNLV faces the challenge of reigniting fan interest, which has waned in recent years. Pastner is expected to bring an engaging style of play to attract fans back to the Thomas & Mack Center. With the transfer portal now open, he must quickly assess the team’s roster situation, with key players like Dedan Thomas Jr. potentially departing.