Courtesy of UNLV Athletics
LAS VEGAS (UNLVRebels.com) – Josh Pastner has been hired as the new head coach of the UNLV men’s basketball program, Director of Athletics Erick Harper announced today.
Pastner will be formally introduced to the Las Vegas community on Wednesday, March 26 at 10 a.m. in Thomas & Mack Center’s Strip View Pavilion.
Pastner, who has extensive experience as a head coach in the Atlantic Coast Conference at Georgia Tech (2016-23) and Conference USA/American Athletic Conference at Memphis (2009-16), comes to UNLV after serving as a television analyst for the past two years.
As a collegiate head coach, Pastner, age 47, has an overall record of 276-187 over 14 seasons. He has led his teams to a total of four conference tournament championships, two conference regular-season championships and seven postseason appearances (five NCAA Tournaments, two NIT). He was named the 2017 ACC Coach of the Year and the 2013 C-USA Coach of the Year.
“We are thrilled to welcome Coach Pastner to the UNLV Family as he takes the helm of the Runnin’ Rebel Basketball program,” Harper said. “I have had the pleasure of knowing Josh for over 20 years, following his remarkable career from Arizona to Memphis and Georgia Tech. He is a fearless and relentless recruiter with success as a head coach, and is also an exceptional communicator, deeply committed to engaging with the Las Vegas community. Furthermore, Josh is committed to connecting with Runnin’ Rebel alumni, ensuring that everyone feels involved in the program’s success. We are confident that he will lead us to win championships and return the Runnin’ Rebels to the NCAA Tournament.”
“I want to express my heartfelt gratitude to UNLV Officer in Charge Dr. Chris Heavey and Athletics Director Erick Harper for this incredible opportunity,” Pastner said. “I am truly enthused about becoming the head coach of the Runnin’ Rebels. This has always been a dream job for me, and I fully recognize the significance of UNLV in the landscape of college basketball. The program holds great importance for both the Las Vegas community and the region, and I am eager to unite Rebel Nation with the goal of restoring the program to national prominence.”
He led Memphis to five postseason appearances: 2010 NIT and the NCAA Tournament in 2011, 2012, 2013 and 2014. His teams won three C-USA tournament championships (2011, 2012 and 2013), and he won the regular-season league championships in 2012 and 2013. While in charge of the Memphis program, the Tigers signed the No. 1 recruiting class in the nation in 2010 and the No. 2 class in 2013.
Pastner was a student-athlete on the 1997 National Championship team at Arizona and was an assistant coach at Arizona under Lute Olson (2002-08) and Memphis under John Calipari (2008-09), both members of the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.
Pastner earned his bachelor’s degree in family studies from Arizona in 1998 and his master’s in teaching and teacher education, also from Arizona, in 1999.
Coach Pastner and his wife, Kerri, have three daughters (Payten, Kamryn and Harper), a son (Cason), and a stepson (Ethan).
WHAT THEY ARE SAYING:
Former Duke Head Coach and Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Famer Mike Krzyzewski
“This is an excellent hire for UNLV. Josh is a high-level coach, and his defensive schemes were very tough to prepare for, leading him to become ACC Coach of the Year and win an ACC Championship. Josh is a good man and a friend. He will be great in Las Vegas!”
Arkansas Head Coach and Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Famer John Calipari
“UNLV made a great hire in Josh. He has been at the highest level of basketball his entire life. Josh and I worked together so I know how hard he works and how connected he is. This is going to be exciting to watch!!”
Former Villanova Head Coach and Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Famer Jay Wright
“Josh is the perfect hire for UNLV. He has the unique qualities needed to lead the Runnin’ Rebels. Josh has the basketball IQ to guide his team on the court and he’s a teacher and developer of talent. He has the energy and charisma to engage the Las Vegas community like no other. His recruiting energy, passion and experience will structure a roster that will allow the Rebels to compete for championships.”
